A Study On Problems Of Menstruation Among Adolescent Girls And Its Related Cultural Practices As Expressed By Mother In Rural Community Of Kamrup District Assam
Volume 4 - Issue 3, March 2020 Edition
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Author(s)
Dr Tarulata Kakati Majhi
Keywords
Menstrual problem, dysmennorhoea, Adolescent girl cultural practice.
Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a significant period in the life of a female. WHO defined adolescence is as a person between 10 -19 years age. One of the major changes occurs among adolescence girl is menarche. The first menses is called “Menarcheâ€. Menstruation is associated with various symptoms, occurring before or during the menstrual flow, which interfere their life. Menstruation despite being a natural phenomenon this has always been surrounded by secrecy and myths in many societies. Taboos surrounding menstruation exclude women and girls from many aspects of social and cultural life. Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact on girls’ and women's emotional state, mental state and lifestyle and most importantly, health. The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of menstrual Problem among adolescent girls and its related cultural practices in selected rural community of Kamrup District, Assam. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in selected Block Primary Health Centre and Community Health Centre /First Referral Unit of Rural community of Kamrup District Assam. In this study the data were collected from 350 adolescent girls to assess the menstrual problem and data were collected from 250 mothers to assess the cultural practices. The study sample was selected by using multistage stratified random sampling .The data were collected by using Interview schedule and inventory checklist. The data were collected in the year 2012 -2016 in different parts respectively. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Major findings of the study: The Result reveal that out of 350 adolescent girls majority 223(63.7%) found to be in the age group of 13-16 year. Majority 224(64%) girls started menarche at the age of 12-14 years. 283 (80.86%) adolescent girls suffers from premenstrual problem and 329(94%) adolescent girls face problem during menstruation, Among pre menstrual problem majority 275(73.4%) girls reported abdominal cramps and among menstrual problem majority 309(88.3%) girls reported dysmennorhoea .The study revealed that due to dysmennorhoea 208 (59.4%) adolescent girls absence from school. The study showed that majority 215(61.4%) manage the problem by using home remedies and only 15(4.3%) adolescent girls consult doctor. The common cultural practices related to menarche as revealed by the study are 163(65.2%) mother reported the practices that as soon as the menarche starts the girls are kept isolated, 152(60.8%) mother said that the menarche girl should not take bath and should not eat cooked food for three days. 152(60.8%) said that there is practice of Santi bia or tuloni bia (marriage for menarche girl) for the girl who attend menarche. 249(99.6%) mother consider menstruation as dirty things. The Cultural practice related to menstruation which is revealed by the study includes 169 (67.6%) mother said that the menstruating girl should not take bath for two days. 119 (47.6%) mother reported the practice that menstruating girl Should sit on floor or dhakua (dried areca leaves). According to 100% Mother the menstruating girl should not go to temple and should not go to pooja room at home. According to 248(99.2%) mother the menstruating girl should not eat egg during her period. According to 119 (47.6%) mother the menstruating girl should not eat yogurt and cold water during her period. 119 (47.6%) mother reported that the menstruating girl should not eat cold food during period which can results in cramps during periods. 119(47.6%) mother said the practice that if the menstruating girl drinks sugary drinks during menstruation it can cause blood flow heavier. 5 (3.2%) mother use sanitary pad. 240 (96%) Mother washes and reuses the cloth. 33(13%) Mother practice restriction of Sex during menstruation. 201(80.4%) mother throw used material openly. Conclusion: The present study concluded that adolescent’s girls of rural community of Kamrup District Assam experience many premenstrual and menstrual problems, which affects them psychologically and physically. The study also reported many taboos practices related to menstruation in rural community of Assam. Appropriate knowledge regarding menstrual problem, its management and knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene is still lacking among the adolescent girls of rural community of Kamrup District Assam.
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