MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN A RURAL PERI URBAN SETTING OF MANIPUR, INDIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Menstruation is a normal biological process, yet it is often associated with misperceptions, restrictive cultural taboos, and inadequate hygiene practices, especially among adolescent girls in low‑ and middle‑income countries. This cross‑sectional study assessed the knowledge, menstrual‑hygiene practices, and sanitation conditions among school‑going girls in Kshetrigao Kendra, Manipur. Data were collected from 100 girls aged 12–15 years attending two private schools using a structured questionnaire that covered socio‑demographic characteristics, menstrual‑knowledge sources, hygiene practices, and school‑based sanitation facilities. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and chi‑square tests were applied for analysis.

The study revealed that 60% of girls knew about menstruation before menarche, with 47% naming their mother as the primary source of information. Although 89% regarded menstruation as a normal biological process, 95% reported observing taboos and restrictions. Ninety‑four percent of girls used sanitary pads, and only 1% used cloth, yet 53% reported missing school during menstruation due to discomfort or inadequate facilities. Only 17% had access to a clean and private toilet, and 23% had sanitary disposal bins in school. A weak positive correlation (r ≈ 0.11) was observed between menstrual‑knowledge and hygiene‑practice scores. These findings underscore that, despite improving awareness and product use, persisting gaps in infrastructure and sociocultural norms hamper effective menstrual‑hygiene management. The study concludes that integrating comprehensive menstrual‑health education, strengthening school‑level sanitation, and community‑based sensitization are essential to protect the health, dignity, and education of adolescent girls in Manipur.