School based educational program on menstrual knowledge and HIV transmission: A study amongst rural adolescent girls of Patiala, Punjab

Pages: 92-97
Naina Sharma (Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)
Ritu Lehal (University School of Applied Management Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)
Amandeep Kaur (Women’s Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)

Capability to reproduce begins with attainment of puberty which takes place in adolescent period. During this period youth goes through major changes and one such important change is the menarche (on set of menstruation). Menstruation is not only physical process but it constitutes social, cultural, psychological and religious constraints. The present study aims to assess the awareness level and effect of psycho-education program related to menstrual hygiene and HIV transmission in adolescent girls of rural area. Close ended questionnaire consisting of 57 items was designed to assess the knowledge, taboos, and hygiene associated with menstruation. Focus group discussion was conducted to assess and identify the barriers in seeking optimum reproductive health. The sample comprised of 110 girls in the age range of 12-15 years. The results indicate that there are taboos and myths still prevalent related to menstruation and many girls have fear of staining their clothes or changing of pads, thereby resulting into absenteeism from the school. Furthermore t- test was applied to study the effect of psycho education program