EXPERIENCE OF SCHOOL-GOING GIRLS IN PUBERTY STAGE REGARDING MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE MANAGEMENT: A STUDY IN COAL-FIELD-AREAS OF RANIGANJ abstract

Background: This study is not regional or specific to any country, but according to previous studies, these challenges are being faced by school-going girls all over the world. This study is conducted in Raniganj Coalfield area, primarily located in the Asansol and Durgapur subdivisions of Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal (India). Aim: The study focuses on three basic indicators to analyze the experience of school going girls in the puberty stage, especially in terms of menstrual health and hygiene management. Methods & Materials: In the present study 50 school-going girls are being selected for the study and participated in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), conducted by the trained social work interns in the coalfield areas of Ranigan. Results: The three basic challenges they face primarily on lack of awareness of menstrual health hygiene, social exclusion, and the impact on school attendance. In this study, it is found that the reasons behind those issues were lack of awareness about the importance of hygiene among them and parents also, lack of awareness of products to be used during menstruation, negligence, and lastly, taboos and rituals. The study also illustrates various complications and issues occur due to lack of awareness and proper intervention. The role of government programs, NGOs and other civil society organizations in this concern is also discussed in the study. Conclusion: Healthy practices during menstruation can lead to a healthy lifestyle and can prevent many infections and diseases which will helps to stay comfortable during menstruation. As the numbers of respondents are less in terms of the total population, the result can’t be generalized, but the experiences may be common for most of the school-going-girls and suggested solutions may help to reduce the problem worldwide.

Keywords: Awareness, Menstrual health & hygiene, Puberty, School-going-girl, Social exclusion