By: ARUNIMA KUNDU
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 school students aged 10–16 years in Malda district to determine the mean age at menarche among adolescent school-going students, assess their menstrual hygiene practices and knowledge, and identify factors influencing these practices and knowledge. Data were collected through a self-administered, semi-open-ended questionnaire. The overall mean age at menarche was 13.04 years (SD = 1.25). Dysmenorrhea (χ2 = 4.209; p ≤ 0.05), time of pain onset (χ2 = 3.193; p ≤ 0.05), and complications (χ2 = 3.163; p ≤ 0.05) related to menstruation were most common among younger teenagers (<14 years) compared to older teenagers (≥14 years). The cumulative score of hygiene practices showed that the majority had poor hygienic practices (52.2%). Most participants had poor knowledge (90%) related to menstruation. The results also show that the source of information from the mother (χ2 = 4.043; p ≤ 0.05), income category (χ2 = 11.629; p ≤ 0.05), and occupation of the mother (χ2 = 3.665; p ≤ 0.05) were significantly related to menstrual hygiene practices at the p ≤ 0.05 level. These findings highlight the need for improved education and awareness campaigns to promote proper menstrual hygiene.
