Knowledge and Practices Related to Menstruation among Tribal (Gujjar) Adolescent Girls

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Abstract
The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstruation among tribal (Gujjar) adolescent girls. The sample for the study comprised of 200 girls in the age group 13-15 years. Both nomadic and semi-nomadic Gujjars were included. A combination of snowball and random sampling technique was used for selection of the sample group from various areas of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir State. Interview guide was developed and used to study the knowledge and practices related to menstruation among adolescent girls. Along with the Interview guide, the menstrual history of the sample group was recorded by the medical experts in the proforma devised for the purpose. The results revealed that sample girls lacked conceptual clarity about the process of menstruation before they started menstruating due to which they faced several gynaecological problems. The most common source of information about menstruation for the majority (83%) of the sample girls were friends. There were several socio-cultural taboos related to menstruation. The level of personal hygiene and management of menstruation was found to be quite unsatisfactory. 98% of the girls believed that there should be no regular bath during menstrual cycle. All the girls reported following these cultural practices without much questioning. The results hold implications for professionals involved in improvement of adolescent reproductive health in particular.

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