HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP DAN PERILAKU HYGIENE MENSTRUASI DENGAN KEJADIAN FLOUR ALBUS DAN IRITASI AREA GENETALIA

Introduction: Menstrual hygiene is an important aspect of maintaining women's reproductive health. Improper menstrual hygiene practices can increase the risk of vaginal discharge and genital irritation. Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior are thought to play a role in shaping menstrual hygiene practices in female students.
Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding menstrual hygiene and the incidence of vaginal discharge and genital irritation among female nursing students at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang.
Methods: This study used a quantitative, descriptive, correlative design with a cross-sectional approach. The study population was female Nursing Science students at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang, intakes of 2022–2024. The sample size of 230 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling technique.
Data were collected through a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding menstrual hygiene, as well as the incidence of vaginal discharge and genital irritation. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test.
Results and Discussion: The results showed a significant relationship between knowledge and the incidence of vaginal discharge, behavior and attitudes (p < 0.05), and between knowledge and genital irritation and attitudes regarding menstrual hygiene and the incidence of vaginal discharge and genital irritation. Respondents with low knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor menstrual hygiene practices tended to experience more vaginal discharge and genital irritation. These findings indicate that a lack of understanding and proper implementation of menstrual hygiene can increase the risk of reproductive health problems.
Conclusion: There is a relationship between knowledge and vaginal discharge and menstrual hygiene practices and vaginal discharge and genital irritation. Reproductive health education needs to be improved to prevent genital health problems in female students.