The effect of a school-based educational intervention on menstrual health: an intervention study among adolescent girls in Bangladesh

Objectives: To assess the impact of a school-based menstrual education programme on: (1) menstrual knowledge, beliefs and practices, (2) menstrual disorders experienced, and (3) restrictions on menstruating adolescents. Design: Intervention study. Setting: Araihazar area, Bangladesh. Participants: 416 adolescent female students aged 11-16 years, in grade 6-8, and living with their parents. Interventions: A school-based health education study conducted from April 2012 to April 2013. Primary and secondary outcome measures: We randomly selected 3 of 26 high schools in the study area. We delivered 6 months of educational intervention by trained (by an obstetrician and gynaecologist) research assistants (RAs) on menstrual hygiene among school girls. RAs read the questionnaire and participants answered. The changes in knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding menstruation, menstrual disorders experienced, and the restrictions and behaviours practiced by menstruating adolescents were compared between the baseline and the follow-up assessments. Results: After health education, participants reported a significant improvement (p