[3] IMPACT OF MEDIA EXPOSURE ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
How to Cite the Article: Priyanka Sarkar & Dhiraj Shukla (2026). Impact of Media Exposure on Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Adolescent Girls: A CrossSectional Study. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(7),23-33. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i7.2026.23-33
Abstract
Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an essential component of adolescent reproductive health, yet inadequate knowledge and persistent socio-cultural stigma continue to hinder healthy menstrual practices among adolescent girls. With the rapid expansion of traditional and digital communication platforms, the media has emerged as a potential source of menstrual health information. However, evidence regarding its influence on menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Indian adolescents remains limited. This study assessed the impact of media exposure on menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among school-going adolescent girls in West Bengal, India. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,119 girls aged 12–18 years from 13 districts of West Bengal. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured study schedule. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, media exposure, menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices was obtained. Results: Nearly all participants (99.5%) reported receiving menstrual health information through media, while 70.5% used the internet for health-related information, and 66.7% regularly watched television. Media exposure showed strong positive correlations with menstrual hygiene knowledge (r=0.76), attitudes (r=0.75), and hygiene practices (r=0.72) (all p<0.05). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that media exposure independently predicted knowledge (β=0.24, p<0.05), attitudes (β=0.46, p<0.05), and hygiene practices (β=0.07, p<0.05) after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Mediation analysis indicated that the effect of media exposure on hygiene practices was largely mediated through improvements in menstrual knowledge and attitudes. Conclusions: Media exposure is significantly associated with improved menstrual hygiene knowledge, positive attitudes, and healthier menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls. Integrating evidence-based media communication with school-based menstrual health education and digital awareness initiatives may enhance menstrual health literacy and promote healthy menstrual hygiene management.
