Adolescent Health and Menstrual Well-Being: Insights from School Students in West Bengal, India

Ahmed Nizamuddin

doi:10.34118/jskp.v5i02.4454

Ahmed Nizamuddin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2191-7550

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34118/jskp.v5i02.4454

Keywords: Adolescent health, India, Menstrual health management, Sanitation facilities, Schoolgirls

Abstract

India has 253 million adolescents aged 10–19 years, representing nearly 21% of its population. The health and well-being of this group have a significant influence on the nation’s morbidity, mortality, and demographic trends. Menstrual health remains a critical issue, as studies have reported that one in four schoolgirls in India miss classes during menstruation due to inadequate gender-sensitive toilets and limited access to sanitary products (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine & UNICEF, 2014–15). This study aimed to examine menstrual health management practices and awareness among adolescent schoolgirls, while also assessing school-level water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in two districts of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2025 among 160 students enrolled in classes IX and X in Jhargram and Purba Medinipur districts of West Bengal, India. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule. The majority of participants reported using sanitary napkins (70.2%), while 16% used cloth and 10% reported using menstrual cups. More than half of the respondents (51%) indicated the absence of sanitary pad vending machines in their schools, and 61% stated that they had never observed any sanitary product disposal facilities. Despite growing awareness and the gradual adoption of modern menstrual products, significant infrastructural gaps persist in school WASH facilities. Strengthening menstrual health management interventions at the school level is crucial for promoting adolescent health, educational continuity, and gender equity.

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