Menstrual Hygiene Among Adolescent Schoolgirls in Selected Schools in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Despite being a critical aspect of women’s health, menstrual hygiene receives limited attention in low-income countries. This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene, along with associated factors, among adolescent schoolgirls (n=375) attending government schools in the Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. The sample size was determined using the Lwanga and Lemeshow (1991) formula. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, menstrual patterns, and menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire, following parental assent. Ethical approval was granted by the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The mean age of the participating adolescent schoolgirls (range 14–16 years) was 14.98 ± 0.8 years. Among them, 54.1% demonstrated good knowledge, while 62.9% exhibited good practices related to menstrual hygiene. The average knowledge score was 9.66 ± 1.5, and the average practice score was 7.89 ± 1.2. The mean age at menarche was 12.82 ± 1.0 years, and the average duration of menstrual flow was 5.4 ± 1.3 days, with a range of 2 to 11 days. Additionally, nearly half (54.7%) of the respondents reported having menstrual cycles shorter than 28 days. There was no significant correlation between knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices in this population (r = -0.035, p = 0.504). Consequently, the hypothesis that greater knowledge leads to improved practices among adolescent schoolgirls in the Kilinochchi District is not supported. However, the hypothesis that socio-economic factors influence menstrual knowledge and practices is partially validated, as older age was significantly associated with better knowledge (Logistic regression; OR=0.377, p=0.005) and practices (Logistic regression; OR=1.770, p=0.046). Further research is required to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying factors influencing menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices in this population.  

KEYWORDS: Government schoolgirls, Knowledge, Menstrual hygiene management, Practice