Menstrual health and status of tribal adolescent girls of Balasore, Odisha

Lack of awareness, illiteracy, malnutrition, absence of personal hygiene and sanitation make menstrual situation worse for tribal girls. The aim of the current study to determine menstrual health, awareness among tribal adolescent girls, their source of information about menstruation before menarche, their menstrual hygiene practice, various cultural practices and restriction associated with it. Tribal community based cross sectional study was carried out on 450 tribal adolescent girls in various tribal areas of Balasore district of Odisha. Random sampling technique was used for selecting girls of the age group of 10-19 years.  Data were collected by using interview guide. Only 39.5% of tribal girls aware about menstruation before menarche. Menstrual cycle was regular for 74.8% and 25.2% irregular for of girls. Around 61.7% girls used sanitary pads and rest used old clothes. All most all girls (100%) are restricted to attend religious function during their menstruation. To get rid from menstrual pain tribal adolescent girls drink a special herb juice, local name Ghushi or Gayasha (Atriplex hortensis) in Mitrapur panchayat of Balasore district. Use of sanitary pads for menstruation is more in late adolescent girls than early adolescent girls (X2=120.002, p=.00001), girls who have literate mother than illiterate mother (X2=7.49, p= 0.01), girls having housewife mother than mothers engaged in stone quarrying activities (X2=26.76, p=.00001) and girls belong to higher economic classes (I,II, III) than lower economic classes ( class IV, V) ( X2=7.18, p=0.01). Current study showed menstrual awareness and mother’s education play a crucial role in maintaining menstrual hygiene.