A B Middleman1, J Varughese. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. amym@bcm.edu
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions of perimenarchal females and their mothers regarding tampons and tampon use. DESIGN: Descriptive study; convenience sample survey. SETTING: Diverse pediatric practice setting. PARTICIPANTS: 139 females 11-18 years of age and 129 of their mothers/female guardians. INTERVENTION: Survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies, chi-square tests, t-tests. RESULTS: Most adolescents (38%-55%) respond "don't know" to various attitude and knowledge items pertaining to tampon use. Adolescent-mother pairs report similar perceptions about tampon use for adolescents. Mothers and adolescents who have "ever tried" tampons (including 68% and 56% of respondents, respectively) have more favorable attitudes about tampons than those who have not tried tampons. Adolescent females list their mothers as the primary source of tampon information; 70% of adolescents and 66% of mothers report that no doctor has spoken to them about tampon use for the daughter. CONCLUSIONS: There is a vast educational deficit among both adolescent females and their mothers regarding the use of tampons among youth. Adolescents and their mothers note that few providers have educated 11- to 18-year-old females or their parents about tampons. Providers have the opportunity to influence adolescent health choices and quality of life associated with tampon use.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions of perimenarchal females and their mothers regarding tampons and tampon use. DESIGN: Descriptive study; convenience sample survey. SETTING: Diverse pediatric practice setting. PARTICIPANTS: 139 females 11-18 years of age and 129 of their mothers/female guardians. INTERVENTION: Survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies, chi-square tests, t-tests. RESULTS: Most adolescents (38%-55%) respond "don't know" to various attitude and knowledge items pertaining to tampon use. Adolescent-mother pairs report similar perceptions about tampon use for adolescents. Mothers and adolescents who have "ever tried" tampons (including 68% and 56% of respondents, respectively) have more favorable attitudes about tampons than those who have not tried tampons. Adolescent females list their mothers as the primary source of tampon information; 70% of adolescents and 66% of mothers report that no doctor has spoken to them about tampon use for the daughter. CONCLUSIONS: There is a vast educational deficit among both adolescent females and their mothers regarding the use of tampons among youth. Adolescents and their mothers note that few providers have educated 11- to 18-year-old females or their parents about tampons. Providers have the opportunity to influence adolescent health choices and quality of life associated with tampon use.