https://imcjms.com/public Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/public/registration/journal_full_text/20 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:22:06 +0000 Abstract Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in four selected girl’s high schools. A structured pre-tested questionnaire and a checklist were used to collect data through face-to-face interview and anthropometry. Conclusion: More than half of the adolescents were malnourished, practiced unhygienic protective measures during menstruation and disclosed different types of reproductive health complaints. Findings of the study strongly recommend that adolescent girls of urban Bangladesh need proper and appropriate management of their reproductive health problems. Introduction Adolescents are an important resource for their families, communities and nation. With proper attention, support, guidance and nurturing, their contribution and participation can be greatly enhanced. To improve the health status of this group there is an urgent need to identify and address the reproductive health needs and address the nutritional status of the adolescent girls. Materials and Methods   Among the selected 360 adolescent girls, less than half (45.8%) were found to have a BMI within the normal range (18.5-24.99). About half of the respondents (49.3%) had their BMI less than 18.5. Among the undernourished population, 15% of the total respondents had a BMI less than 16 with grade-3 under-nutrition. About 11.8% of the total had a BMI within the range of 16-16.99 with grade-2 under nutrition and 22.5% of the total were found to have BMI within the range of 17-18.49 with grade-1 under-nutrition. Only 4.6% had BMI ³ 25 representing the overweight portion of the respondents. The mean BMI was 18.9 ± 3.1 (Table1). Table-1: Nutrition status of the adolescent girls using BMI Interpretation (Kg/sq.m.) (%) <16 (grade-3 under nutrition) 15.0 16-16.99 (grade-2 under nutrition) 11.8 17-18.49 (grade-1 under nutrition) 22.5 18.5-24.99 45.8 25-29.99 (grade-1 overweight) 4.3 30-39.99 (grade-2 overweight) 0.6 40 (grade-3 overweight) 0 Total 100.0       Number Pain in lower abdomen during menstruation 60.0 92 Excessive bleeding 24.5 141 Desquamation/soreness of vulva/thigh 24.5 29 Hygienic practices during menstruation:*   300 Sanitary/cotton pads 31.8 294 Wear under garments 52.9 70     This cross sectional study may not necessarily reflect the actual picture of the adolescent’s nutritional and reproductive health status of the country, but it reflects a picture of the less privileged group. In this study the mean age of the 360 respondents was 14.5 years, which also support the study done by Haseen F9 where the mean age at menarchae was 12.4 years. Lowest and highest age of the respondents was 9 and 15 years respectively that is consistent with other studies10,11. This similarity of the findings may be due to the respondents belonging to very similar socio-economic groups, living standards and nutritional status between the studies on the adolescent girls. Regarding reproductive health status, majority (83%) reported having some sort of complaints during or after menstruation, which is also reflected in the findings of BIRPERHT study10 where about 65% adolescents have had some menstrual problems. Considering menstrual problems, more than half (60%) experienced dysmenorrhoea, which is consistent with other study findings10,11. About one-fourth (25%) had complaints of per vaginal whitish discharge and the other one-fourth (25%) had desquamation or soreness in inner part of thigh or vulva. These findings may be due to improper drying of menstrual rags, use of rough cloths that become a vector for fungal infection and soreness, which ultimately leads to vaginal discharge. These results were also found in other studies11,13. Most of the respondents (84%) used old cloths during menstruation, which is an unhygienic practice and only 30% used sanitary or cotton pads that is considered hygienic. They practice unhygienic measures mostly due to monetary constrains and or ignorance. These findings correlate with other studies too9,14. Conclusion   1.   Anonymous. Young peoples health- A challenge for society. WHO Technical Report Series 731, Geneva 86: 11-23, 69. 3.   Hossain SMI, Bhuiya I, Rob AKU, Anam R. Directory of Organizations Working with adolescents/youth in Bangladesh. First Edition. Dhaka: Population Council 1998; 2-16. 5.   Anonymous. Adolescent health and development: Issues andStrategies. Empowering adolescent girls for sustainable human development: Bangladesh Country Report, South Asia Conference on Adolescents; 1998 July; New Delhi, India. Dhaka, Bangladesh 1998; 5: 9-12. 7.   Bangladesh Population Census 1991 Final Report. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 1994 Sept. Analytic Report Vol (1): 296. 9.   Vaidya RA, Shringi MS, Bhatt MA, Gajjar M, Joshi JV, Galvankar P et al. Menstrual pattern and growth of school girls in Mumbai. The Journal of Family Welfare 1998; 44(1): 66-71. 11.Begum R. Role of occupation and household access to food in nutritional assessment of slum people in Dhaka city (in Beaton G et al. Apprppriate use of anthropometric indices in children,1990 Dec. ACC/SCN State of the art series on nutrition policy discussion paper no.7. United Nations. Administrative committee on coordination/ sub committee on nutrition: 1-51 and Gibson RS. Anthropometric assessment, ed. In: Principles of nutritional assessment. Oxford University Press 1990: 155-160.) Dhaka: Bangladesh 1999; 13-17. 13.Haider SJ, Saleh SN, Kamal N, Gray A. Study of Adolescents: Dynamics of perception, Attitude, Knowledge and use of Reproductive health care. Population Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1997; 17-21. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.