Abstract:

Abstract Menstrual hygiene, a very important risk factor for reproductive tract infections, is a vital aspect of health education for adolescent girls. Therefore, educational interventions to increase both awareness and behaviour quality are crucial during adolescence. Main aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a theory based training on puberty, menstrual physiology and menstrual hygiene for the schoolgirls in Fethiye, Turkey. This quasi-experimental study covered 87 schoolgirls. A training intervention was conducted as 4 sessions of 60 minutes. Data were collected by using a questionnaire including 31 questions. Almost one third of the study group students (30.0%) have experienced the menstruation; the mean menarche age was 12.42±1.027; the majority of students (60.0%) were 12-13 years old; the great majority of their parents had only primary school education (83.9%).  It was estimated that the training on adolescence, menstruation and menstrual hygiene was effective in increasing the knowledge as well as in behavioural intention (p<0.05). While 62.1% of girls have become able to ask question with ease, 54.1% of them asked for similar trainings. Theory based specific health trainings including menarche and menstrual subjects during adolescence should be implemented by trained health professionals, especially school nurses, in primary schools.  

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