Abstract:
Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon for females still it is associated with some
degree of sufferings & embarrassment. The main objective of this study was to assess the
menstrual pattern, disorders, hygiene practices, and attitudes of Bangladeshi female. A total of
259 female were evaluated under this study aged 16 to 23yrs from different universities, colleges
and slums of the Dhaka city using a structured questionnaire. Among them 79.92% female were
from non-slum area and 20.08% were from slum area. Almost 52.9% had completed their H.S.C.
and 4.63% were illiterate. The age of menarche was found 12 to 14yrs in majority cases. Most of
the girls (85.3%) had the prior knowledge about menstruation but (78.38%) felt nervous at the
first time & the most common source of information was family members (73.36%) usually
mother & sister.It has seen that, Menstruation is a natural event to 92.28%, debilitating event to
42.47%, bothersome event to 44.40% women of total respondents. Majority (89.19%) of the
respondents has a normal duration and 50.19% has a normal amount of flow. The study
indicates that 78.76% of the respondents think that, menstruation is a physiologic process and
51.35% respondents are aware of the source of bleeding. Although 86.87% have knowledge
about the ideality of using sanitary napkin but 83.40% are comfortable of using it. It is found that
almost 90% of them mentioned about suffering from at least two different Premenstrual
syndrome and dysmenorrhea was the main menstrual problem reported by 62.55% of the
respondents. In that case analgesic or anticholinergic were found commonly used by them to
control pain. Relative openness about menstruation or related topics with family members very
poor in majority. So the teachers, family members, health educators & media should play an
important role in improving menstrual hygiene, practice and awareness growing up by providing
more knowledge about this topic.
Description:
This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MA in English Language and Literature of East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
