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Perceptions among adolescent girls and their mothers regarding tampon use
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology , 07/31/2012
Middleman AB et al. – 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.
Methods- 139 females 11–18 years of age and 129 of their mothers/female guardians.
- To explore the perceptions of perimenarchal females and their mothers regarding tampons and tampon use.
- 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.