Perception and Practices Regarding Menstruation in Women of Reproductive Age Group in Urban Slums

Abstract

Background: There are various beliefs and practices which exist in the domain of reproductive health of women. Menstruation is one such area. Menstruation is a monthly cyclical change entirely of a women's body and yet it influences the quality of her life in her household, her interaction with the family, and her relation with the world outside her household. Menstruation is influenced by various beliefs&taboos. Perception and practices regarding menstruation are of considerable importance for reproductive health. Poor practices increase vulnerability to reproductive tract infection. Objectives: To identify the gap between perception&practices during menstruation and know superstition and beliefs regarding the same. Material and Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst 300 reproductive age group 15-44 yrs group women in urban slums of Agra to determine their perceptions, problems, and practices on menstruation. Stratified simple random sampling technique was used for collecting information from the women of reproductive age group from the area attached to urban health center of Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Agra. Results: The correct perception regarding household work was found in about half (48%) of the women surveyed, and in practice it was 58%.Two thirds of the women had correct perception about dietary belief and taboos and only 35% women avoided certain foods. Out of 207 married women 33.3% had correct perception about intercourse during menstruation period, while in practice it was only15.2%.Out of 31 women who were involved in this activity during menstruation 16 were using condom. Conclusion: It was found that half of the women had adequate knowledge regarding menstruation while practice was influenced by various beliefs and taboos. It is necessary to increase IEC (information, education and communication) for better perception, for discarding unhealthy practices and for adopting healthy practices. Counseling can be initiated early for the adolescent girls. Counseling is also required for the elderly women who perpetuate the tradition and practices in the family.