Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1544

In order to fight against menstrual ignorance, as highlighted by the WHO over the last few years, we carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative observational study using anonymous questionnaire. We surveyed schoolgirls’ knowledge of puberty and menstrual management. Our study was conducted in public and private educational institutions (schools and colleges) in the governorate of Ben Arous (Tunisia) and included 720 schoolgirls aged 8 to 14 years old. Results figured that 393 girls had already experienced their first period with a median age at menarche for these girls of 12.63 years (minimum age 8 years; maximum age 14 years). Our serie assessed girls’ knowledge of the characteristics of menstruation during normal puberty. Schoolgirls’ main source of information about menstrual health was family for 443 girls (61.6%), but also Internet in 23.3% ans schoolmates in 15.1%. Outcomes showed that only 474 girls (65%) knew that menstruation occurs following a monthly cycle. We also noticed that 252 participants (35%) knew that menstrual cycle becomes mostly regular after 2 years of menarche. Similarly, our research uncovered that 246 of our schoolgirls (34%) knew the normal duration of menstruation whereas 452 (63%) knew the normal length of menstrual cycle. Moreover, In terms of identifying abnormalities, the data revealed that only 343 of the girls surveyed (48%) recognised that the absence of menstruation after 04 years from the onset of puberty should be considered as pathological. Wheareas, only 337 girls (46.8%) recognised secondary amenorrhoea as requiring medical care. As far as menstrual hygiene is concerned, only 169 of all girls included in our study (less than 25%), admitted that the menstrual period required extra hygiene precautions. According to our study, 343 of he girls assessed (47.6%) adhere to changing their menstrual pads four to six times a day during period in order to maintain adequate hygiene. On the other hand, almost all of the girls we questionned (696 or 96.7%) claimed that their schools lack the sanitary facilities they need (or could need) in order to manage their menstrual period. This study revealed deficiencies in the menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices of schoolgirls in Ben Arous. These results highlight the need to integrate appropriate menstrual education and to improve sanitary facilities in schools.