Menstrual disorder and its treatment seeking among adolescent girls in India: evidence from nationwide survey

Praveen Kailash Chokhandre; Shrikanta R. Vatavati; Basavaraj I. Pundappanavar; Jyoti S. Hallad

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2024-0101

Article

Menstrual disorder and its treatment seeking among adolescent girls in India: evidence from nationwide survey

Praveen Kailash Chokhandre , Shrikanta R. Vatavati , Basavaraj I. Pundappanavar and Jyoti S. Hallad

Published/Copyright: December 10, 2024

Published by

Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Submit Manuscript Author Information Explore this Subject

From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 36 Issue 6

Abstract

Background

Adolescents make up 18 % of India’s total population, with 116 million being girls. Most research has focused on menstrual health and hygiene practices, with limited studies on menstrual pain/disorder (MPD) among adolescent girls using micro-level data from specific regions of India.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of menstrual pain/distress, its treatment-seeking behavior, and its associated predictors among adolescent girls.

Methods

The study employed data from a cross-sectional study design and interviewed 6,715 adolescent girls from 16 major States of India.

Results

The prevalence of MPD among adolescent girls was 61.8 %. Of these, a higher proportion of girls reported severe abdominal/back pain (90 %), followed by severe distress/irritation (26 %) and heavy bleeding (21 %). Findings suggest that girls who were educated about menstrual health were more likely to identify MPD and seek its treatment. Regarding treatment seeking for MPD, surprisingly, only about 14.3 % of girls sought treatment from health personnel, while 61 percent did not seek treatment at all. Home remedies (57 %), medical shops (25 %), and frontline workers or primary health centers (20 %) were found to be the preferred source of treatment. The prevalence of MPD and its treatment-seeking varies significantly by socio-economic characteristics.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the importance of providing menstrual health education and raising awareness of early identification and treatment-seeking among adolescent girls. The Government of India’s efforts in initiating Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthaya Karyakram (RKSK) programs are noteworthy. Having sufficient and well-trained peer educators can accelerate the process of health education and generate demand for healthcare services.

Keywords: menstruation disorder; adolescent girls; treatment seeking; India

Corresponding author: Praveen Kailash Chokhandre, Population Research Centre, JSS Institute of Economic Research, Kaushalya Building, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580004, India, E-mail: praveenchokhandre@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the contribution of all the participating PRCs who helped us in the data collection activity for their respective States. Authors also acknowledge the annonymous revievers for their critical input to the manuscript.

Research ethics: Ethical approval was secured from the Institutional Ethics Committee at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad (SDM/IEC/2022/383) dated 19th December, 2022.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained along with the assent of the girls under 18 years and individual consent was obtained for girls aged 18+.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
Research funding: This study was supported by the MoHFW, Govt. of India.
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the funders.

References

1. NCP MoHFW. Census of India 2011 population projections for India and states 2011–2036 report of the technical group on population projections: 2020 [Internet] [cited 2024 May 5]. Available from: https:// main.mohfw.gov.in /sites/default/files/Population Projection Report 2011-2036 - upload_compressed_0.pdf.Search in Google Scholar

2. McEvoy, M, Chang, J, Coupey, SM. Common menstrual disorders in adolescence: nursing interventions. MCN Am J Matern Nurs 2004;29:41–9.10.1097/00005721-200401000-00011Search in Google Scholar PubMed

3. Singh, A, Kiran, D, Singh, H, Nel, B, Singh, P, Tiwari, P. Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea: a problem related to menstruation, among first and second year female medical students. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2008;52:389–97.Search in Google Scholar

4. Sharma, P, Malhotra, C, Taneja, DK, Saha, R. Problems related to menstruation amongst adolescent girls. Indian J Pediatr 2008;75:125–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-008-0018-5.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

5. Khanna, A, Goyal, RS, Bhawsar, R. Menstrual practices and reproductive problems: a study of adolescent girls in Rajasthan. J Health Manag 2005;7:91–107.https://doi.org/101177/097206340400700103.10.1177/097206340400700103Search in Google Scholar

6. Kumar, D, Goel, NK, Puri, S. Menstrual hygiene practices and treatment seeking behaviour for menstrual problems among unmarried girls in UT, Chandigarh. Int J Cur Res 2015;7:13352–9.Search in Google Scholar

7. Varghese, L, Prakash, PJ, Lekha, V. A study to identify the menstrual problems and related practices among adolescent girls in selected higher secondary school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. J SAFOG (South Asian Fed Obstet Gynaecol 2019;11:13–6.10.5005/jp-journals-10006-1642Search in Google Scholar

8. Archibald, AB, Graber, JA, Brooks-Gunn, J. Pubertal processes and physiological growth in adolescence. In: Adams, GR, Berzonsky, MD, editors. Blackwell Handbook of Adolescence [Internet]. Online: Blackwell Publishing; 2006:24–47 pp.10.1002/9780470756607.ch2Search in Google Scholar

9. Shukla, MK, Khan, S, Srivastava, A. Common menstrual complaints and use of medication, among undergraduate students of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India: a cross sectional study. Int J Community Med Public Heal 2016;3:2180–5.10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20162567Search in Google Scholar

10. Belayneh, Z, Mekuriaw, B. Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practice among adolescent school girls in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Publ Health 2019;19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7973-9.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

11. Singh, MM, Devi, R, Gupta, S. Awareness and health seeking behaviour of rural adolescent school girls on menstrual and reproductive health problems. Indian J Med Sci 1999;53:439–43.Search in Google Scholar

12. Hallad, J, Pundappanavar, B, Chokhandre, P, Vatavati, S. Menstrual health and hygiene among adolescent girls in climate vulnerable areas of India. Dharwad, Karnataka: Population Research Center, JSS Institute of Economic Research; 2023:137 p. https://www.google.com/search?q=Menstrual+Health+and+Hygiene+among+Adolescent+Girls+in+Climate+Vulnerable+Areas+of+India&oq=Menstrual+Health+and+Hygiene+among+Adolescent+Girls+in+Climate+Vulnerable+Areas+of+India&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTE3ODhqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.Search in Google Scholar

13. Shah, SP, Nair, R, Shah, PP, Modi, DK, Desai, SA, Desai, L. Improving quality of life with new menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent tribal girls in rural Gujarat, India. Reproduct Heal Matters 2013;21:205–13.10.1016/S0968-8080(13)41691-9Search in Google Scholar PubMed

14. Narayanamma, VL, Indira, I, Prasad, G, Jyothsna, J. Adolescent menstrual problems in a rural community in Andhra Pradesh. Natl J Community Med 2016;5.Search in Google Scholar

15. Singh, D, Kasturwar, NB. Pattern of menstrual morbidities and the associated socio-demographic factors among adolescent girls in a rural area of Nagpur. Panacea J Med Sci 2017;7:77–82.10.33883/jms.v20i2.22Search in Google Scholar

16. Jampana, KC. Prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls: a burning issue. Asian J Med Res 2019;8:OG04–7.10.21276/ajmr.2019.8.2.OG2Search in Google Scholar

17. Salhan, S. Textbook of gynecology. Delhi: JP Medical Ltd. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers(P); 2011:674 p.Search in Google Scholar

18. George, NS, Priyadarshini, S, Shetty, S. Dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls – characteristics and symptoms experienced during menstruation. J Heal Allied Sci NU 2014;04:045–52. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1703800.Search in Google Scholar

19. Kamath, VG, Kamath, A, Roy, K, Rao, CR, Hegde, A, Ashok, L. Reproductive Health Issues–who to discuss with? A qualitative study to address unmet needs of adolescent boys. Glob Soc Welf 2017;4:159–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-016-0054-4.Search in Google Scholar

20. Jejeebhoy, SJ. Adolescent sexual and reproductive behavior: a review of the evidence from India. Soc Sci Med 1998;46:1275–90.10.1016/S0277-9536(97)10056-9Search in Google Scholar

21. Van Eijk, AM, Sivakami, M, Thakkar, MB, Bauman, A, Laserson, KF, Coates, S, et al.. Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2016;6:e010290. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010290.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

22. Suwarsih, M, Astuti, DA, Fitriahadi, E. The treatment of dysmenorrhea among adolescent females. J Aisyah J Ilmu Kesehat 2023;8. https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v8i3.2311.Search in Google Scholar

23. Shwetabh, KS, Roy, C. Community based cross-sectional study on treatment seeking behavior of rural adolescent girls; 2019. [cited 2024 May 5]; Available from: http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/187295.Search in Google Scholar

24. Gundi, M, Subramanyam, MA. Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: a mixed-methods study. PLoS One 2019;14:e0223923. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223923.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

25. Haberland, NA, McCarthy, KJ, Brady, M. A systematic review of adolescent girl program implementation in low-and middle-income countries: evidence gaps and insights. J Adolesc Heal 2018;63:18–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.294.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

26. Malhotra, A, Amin, A, Nanda, P. Catalyzing gender norm change for adolescent sexual and reproductive health: investing in interventions for structural change. J Adolesc Heal 2019;64:S13–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.01.013.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

27. United Nation. The sustainable development goals. New York: United Nations Publications; 2017.Search in Google Scholar

28. Sabarwal, S, Santhya, KG. Treatment-seeking for symptoms of reproductive tract infections among young women in India. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2012;38:90–8. https://doi.org/10.1363/3809012.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

29. Prusty, RK, Unisa, S. Reproductive tract infections and treatment seeking behavior among married adolescent women 15–19 Years in India. Int J MCH AIDS 2013;2:103. https://doi.org/10.21106/ijma.15.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

30. Devi, ST, Aparna Kundu, M. Assessment of knowledge and health seeking behavior on reproductive tract infection (RTI) and its prevention among adolescent girls studying in selected Higher Secondary School, West Bengal. IOSR-JNHS; 10:1–8.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2024-06-30

Accepted: 2024-11-15

Published Online: 2024-12-10

You are currently not able to access this content.

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2024-0101

Keywords for this article

menstruation disorder; adolescent girls; treatment seeking; India