Siabani, S., Charehjow, H., babakhani, M. (2018). Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Menstruation among School Girls in West Iran: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Pediatrics, (), -. doi: 10.22038/ijp.2018.28633.2495
Soraya Siabani; Hanie Charehjow; Maryam babakhani. "Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Menstruation among School Girls in West Iran: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study". International Journal of Pediatrics, , , 2018, -. doi: 10.22038/ijp.2018.28633.2495
Siabani, S., Charehjow, H., babakhani, M. (2018). 'Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Menstruation among School Girls in West Iran: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study', International Journal of Pediatrics, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22038/ijp.2018.28633.2495
Siabani, S., Charehjow, H., babakhani, M. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Menstruation among School Girls in West Iran: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Pediatrics, 2018; (): -. doi: 10.22038/ijp.2018.28633.2495
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Regarding Menstruation among School Girls in West Iran: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript , Available Online from 19 January 2018
1Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran & The University technology Sydney (UTS), Australia.
2Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Menstruation is a challenging situation for young women in whom a poor hygiene practice can result in infertility and reproductive system diseases. Attitude and knowledge are two factors related to each other, and reflected in people’s practice. This study aimed to assess the KAP, and their association among teenage girls in Western Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 728 girls, selected randomly among 28,370 school girls studying in classes 7th (12y) and 10th (15y) was conducted in 2016, in Kermanshah, West of Iran. A self-made questionnaire was used to gather data including participants’ demographic characteristics and their KAP toward menstruation. Using SPSS (Version 23) the relationships between outcome variables and predicting variables were evaluated. Findings: Participants’ mean age and menarche age were (14.6±1.4 years) and (12.5±1.0y), respectively. About 92% were found to have a relatively positive attitude, 64% had a poor knowledge and 81% expressed a poor practice. Mothers (37.4 %) were the main source of information for most participants. About 42% students experienced being fearful or ashamed at the first menstruation periods. Age, family income, and the source of information were significantly positively associated with their level of knowledge. Their practice was significantly associated with age and mother's education (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Although the total attitude in terms of menstruation was at a relatively positive level, mostly had poor knowledge and practiced poor. So, school girls in Western Iran need to be trained regarding menstruation hygiene and developing their skills to care for themselves during menstruation periods.