Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Adolescence is a fascinating period of life that marks the transition from being a dependent child to an independently functional adult. Very few studies are conducted on this special vulnerable group of adolescent girls in orphanages. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the personal hygiene status, vision about the future, current health status of adolescent girls living in orphanages in a metropolitan city. This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 214 adolescent girls (10‐19 years) living in orphanages in Mumbai city from September 2019 to September 2020. A pre‐validated, semi‐structured questionnaire was used. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Clinical examination was done in a separate closed room and privacy was maintained. This study was conducted among 214 adolescent girls living in orphanages. The median duration of stay in the orphanage was 21.25 years. A total of 193 (90.2%) girls had heard about menstruation, of which 185 (86.4%) had attained menarche. Pads were disposed of by the majority of the girls by wrapping them in paper and disposing of them in the dustbin (176, 95.13%). The present study highlights a few good practices like hand washing followed by the participants. Special attention should be given for maintaining overall hygiene of the adolescents in orphanages.
How to cite this article:
Ashwini B. Sapkal, Anuradha Kunal Shah, Swati Deshpande, Akshay More and Amrut Swami. Personal Hygiene Status of Adolescent Girls Living in Orphanages of a Metropolitan City.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.451.455
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.451.455