Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about the menstruation among secondary school girls in Herat, Afghanistan - A cross sectional study

Abstract Background: The experience of menarche is often horrifying for adolescent girls due to their lack of information on menstruation cycle and menstrual vaginal bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice about menstruation and menstruation hygiene among secondary school girls in Herat, Afghanistan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 10th March 2021 to 15th April 2021 among secondary schools’ girls in Herat, Afghanistan to evaluate the secondary school girls’ knowledge on menstruation and menstruation hygiene. Sample size was calculated as 768 girls. Data were evaluated in IBM SPSS program.Results: In this study 53.3% of girls a good knowledge on menstruation and menstruation hygiene. Only 15.9% of girls who did not experienced menarche at the time of this study, has a good knowledge score on menstruation and menstruation hygiene. 32.9% of the participants took rest and may missed their school during menstrual bleeding. Only 2.1% of the participants’ first source of information on menstruation and menstruation hygiene was their teachers. The findings of the study show significant association between the fathers’ educational level and girls’ knowledge of menstruation and menstruation hygiene.Conclusion: Girls knowledge on menstruations and menstruation hygiene was found to be lower than other countries. Awareness campaigns regarding the menstruation and menstruation hygiene are recommended to be conducted. However, it would be better to add a subject for secondary school girls so they can learn more and openly on this matter.