Effectiveness Of Menstrual Health, Hygiene And Nutrition Educational (mhhne) Intervention Among Adolescent Girls In Urban Bengaluru

Abstract

The lifestyle diseases of the present era compels us to understand the importance of eating right among millions of adolescents in India. Ignorance of relation between health and hygiene is the main reason for the prevalent extreme situations of malnutrition, obesity and anaemia. Aim of the study was (i) To assess knowledge and practices of nutrition, hygiene and menstrual health before intervention (ii) To assess the effectiveness of Menstrual Health, Hygiene and Nutrition Educational (MHHNE) intervention among adolescent girls in Urban Bengaluru. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 1287 adolescent girls from 7 schools in Urban Bengaluru. Self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and practices before intervention. A health and nutrition education interactive session MHHNE of 40 minutes was delivered to respondents and were asked to fill the questionnaire again. Pre and Post intervention data collected through the questionnaire was analysed. Descriptive statistics (Number and percentages) were calculated. MHHNE was successful in improving the knowledge of the participants in the domains of nutrition .The four domains "Importance of enough sleep", "water'/'less stress" and "reducing junkfood", to reduce PMS awareness of the participants was good. The 2 domains that need more effort to change their knowledge and practice are "Cause for anaemia", and "the importance of eating nuts and seeds". MHHNE to great extent was successful to improve the overall knowledge of mentioned domains in adolescent girls.