Menstrual Hygiene and Reproductive Health Knowlegde among Late-Adolescent Girls of a Government College in Udaipur City, Rajasthan: A Cross Sectional Study

India has largest adolescent population in world. Adolescent is characterized by significant physiological and psychological changes. This study was conducted with an aim to assess knowledge and awareness of late-adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. A cross sectional study was conducted among late-adolescent girls who were studying at Government Meera Girls’ College, Udaipur. 160 such girls who gave consent were included. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used. Data was entered and analysed in MS Excel. Among 160 participants, majority( 57%) belonged to age group 18-19 years.5% were married, all were literate. The main source of information for knowledge about puberty were teachers(46.9%), although they wished to had knowledge from doctors(36.9%).They had good knowledge and practices for menstrual hygiene. Most of them were familiar with HIV(79.4%) but lacked in-depth knowledge. Majority did not know about any other sexually transmitted diseases (67.5%). Participants had good menstrual habits but lack reproductive health knowledge. Attempts to increase basic knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health through school curriculum or compulsory workshops, counselling ,community and parenteral communication is required.