Menstruation Practices Research Articles

Knowledge, perception, and practice of menstruation among men: a study in Bhujhung Village, Nepal

Knowledge, perception, and practice of menstruation among men: a study in Bhujhung Village, Nepal

Lived Experiences and Perceptions of University Female Students

With the onset of modernization, intellectual women in urban areas are not extremely compelled to follow menstrual pollution. However, practices such as forbidding women from entering the temples and kitchen, cooking food, touching male members of the family, and sleeping on their usual beds when menstruating. This study aims to analyze the lived experiences of urban intellectual women during menstrual restrictions. It also discusses the perceptions of them about the tradition of menstrual restrictions. The participants are the female students pursuing their Masters’ degree in sociology at Bharaihawa Multiple Campus Rupandehi. 16 out of 42 participants were selected for interview applying purposive sampling method. The samples include the students permanently living in Bhairahawa’s city area. Semi-structured interview was applied to collect the data to discuss about what the female students experience and perceive the tradition of menstruation restrictions. Most of the participants responded that the experience of restriction is the example of structural inequality imposed upon women due to patriarchal perspective of history. They have the experiences of pain and suffering at periods. The participants responded that menstruating restriction is the practice of imposing discrimination and superiority of males. But it was also found that males’ perspective is slightly changing with the process of modernization. This research article concludes with the perception of women that menstruation practice is the stigma for the modern society today.

A Review on Initiatives for Promoting Better Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Management in India.

Management of hygiene during menstruation is severely affected by the continued existence of several societal, cultural, and religious restrictions on menstruation and menstruation practices. Since they are frequently unprepared and unaware of their periods, especially in rural regions of the country, girls face a variety of hurdles and problems at home, in school, and at work. We observed from examining the studies that managing menstrual hygiene is affected by a lack of personal sanitation and inadequate, erroneous, or partial understanding of menstruation. Women either possess zero or minimal knowledge about genital infections, which are caused by poor personal hygiene during menstruation. Women in rural areas frequentlylack access to sanitary items and have inadequate understanding of their sorts and applications, or cannot afford the high cost of such products. Females in rural areas must use washable cotton pads because of this, which they must use repeatedly. The requirements and desires of teenage girls and women continue to be disregarded, despite substantial developments in the water and sanitation industries. Menstrual products are disposed of in domestic garbage and public facilities when women are outside, while they are flushed down toilets at home without considering the risk of choking. Because of this, there should be a need to inform and educate individuals about the health risks and environmental problems connected to them. Reduced trash may be achieved by using modern techniques like incineration. Therefore, the importance of using natural or reusable sanitary products should be emphasized.

Traditional menstruation practices among Nepalese women living in Japan

BackgroundTraditional menstruation practices in Nepal (Chhaupadi in Nepalese) lack scientific support and undermine women’s health. This study aimed to understand the changes in the traditional menstruation practices due to migration from Nepal to Japan.MethodsThis study included 104 Nepalese women of reproductive age living in an urban area of western Japan. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling, and the method of data collection was a questionnaire survey. To examine how Nepalese women adapt traditional menstruation practices to their living environment, we compared how women followed frequently 17 traditional practices when they lived in Nepal and later in Japan. We examined the relationships among behavioural changes in traditional practices, education level, and caste.ResultsThe frequency of 14 of the 17 traditional practices decreased after the women moved to Japan. Among women who reduced the frequency of traditional practices after moving from Nepal to Japan, the reduction was not associated with educational level or caste of the participants.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the attitudes towards the traditional menstruation practices change in response to living circumstances. Future studies should focus on determining living environment factors related to behavioural changes in traditional practices.

Knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in secondary schools of Herat, Afghanistan

Background: The experience of menarche is often confusing and causes ambivalence among adolescent girls due to their lack of information on the menstruation cycle and menstrual vaginal bleeding. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of menstruation and menstruation hygiene in Afghanistan. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire administered from 10 March 2021 to 15 April 2021 among secondary school girls in Herat, Afghanistan. It evaluated their knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices. 768 girls responded to the survey. Data was encoded and statistically analysed using SPSS. Results: 53.3% of girls surveyed had a good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. 15.9% of girls surveyed who did not experience menarche showed a good knowledge score. In terms of practice, 32.9% took a rest and missed school during menstrual bleeding. 2.1% of the participants mentioned that teachers were the first source of information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: Knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene among girls surveyed was lower than in other countries. Awareness campaigns regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene are recommended. It is suggested to add a subject on these for secondary school girls to learn more and encourage them to openly discuss among themselves.

Knowledge and Practice of Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Young People in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: The periodic shedding of the lining of a woman’s uterus is referred to as Menstruation, or a menstrual period. Over a period of three to five days, the uterine lining breaks down into a bloody substance. It then passes down through the cervix and exits through the vagina. Menstrual health knowledge is regarded as having knowledge of what menstruation is and the need for effective management of health during menstruation and proper menstrual hygiene management. This study seeks to assess the knowledge and practice of menstrual health and hygiene and availability of resources for effective menstrual hygiene management among young people in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 169 young males and females of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary, Jos, North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in this study and data was collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Findings: Majority of 70 (41.4%) respondents fall within the age range of 20 - 24 years old, 64 (37.9%) were within 25 - 29 years. There were more females (96, 56.8%) than males (73, 43.2%). Twenty (11.8%) were married, 149 (88.2%) were single. More than three quarters (78.1%) had good knowledge of Menstrual Hygiene. Of this, 64.4% are males and 88.5% are females. 18.3% of respondents had fair knowledge. Of this, 30.1% are males and 9 (9.4%) are females. 6 (3.6%) of respondent’s had poor knowledge of menstrual hygiene (4 (5.5%) of males and 2 (92.1%)) of females). Two-thirds of the female respondents had good practice of menstrual hygiene, while a third of the respondents had the poor practice of menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: There was good knowledge and practice of menstruation and menstrual hygiene among young people. Knowledge influences practice and the perception of young people to sensitive concepts like menstrual health and hygiene management. Reproductive health programs that reflect this should be taught in schools and communities.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS MENSTRUATION OF MIDWIFERY STUDENTS IN SURABAYA

Abstract Background: population of reproductive women in the world reach 52% (House, et al., 2012), while in Surabaya reach 24,6% (BPS, 2019). Menstruation is a natural aspect of reproductive woman’s life and becomes a very critical point because it shows the basis of women’s wellbeing, especially menstrual hygiene. Poor hygiene during menstruation can lead to reproductive tract infection. In order to avoid RTI, good menstrual behavior is needed. Midwifery students as future health workers will be a role in helping change people’s behavior, one of which practice of menstruation towards better. Aims: This research to find out knowledge, attitudes and practices about menstruation of midwifery students in Surabaya. Methods: this research method is descriptive quantitative cross-sectional, with a sample of the first level midwifery students from five institutions in Surabaya. Sampling with total sampling and which includes inclusion criteria is 206 respondents. This research has been held in September- October 2019. The variables are knowledge of menstrual, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual practices. Data retrieval using a questionnaire in the google form. Results: The results shows 68% of respondents have high knowledge, 55,3% of respondents have negative attitudes and 50,5% of respondents have good menstrual practices. Conclusions: High knowledge of menstruation wasn’t comparable with negative attitudes towards menstruation so only half of the respondents have good practice.

Knowledge and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Nursing Students in IIUM Kuantan

Introduction: Menstrual hygiene management includes the use and proper disposal of clean menstrual management materials during menstruation while dysmenorrhea is discomfort, pain, and cramps at the uterine origin during menstruation. Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the knowledge and practices of menstruation and menstrual hygiene, screening of dysmenorrhea among nursing students in IIUM Kuantan and the relationship between the selected socio- demographic with level of knowledge and practices of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 undergraduate nursing students in IIUM Kuantan. The questionnaires distributed consisted mainly four parts which is socio- demographic data, the level of knowledge, practices of menstruation and menstrual hygiene and screening dysmenorrhea among the respondents. Results: The result highlighted that majority of nursing students (90.6%) have good knowledge, while (74.6%) students have good practices of menstrual hygiene. High percentage of dysmenorrhea was reported among the students (89.2%). There was a significant difference between year of study and practices of menstrual hygiene (p=0.033). Conclusion: The knowledge and practices of menstruation was good among nursing students in IIUM Kuantan. However, they need to improve in certain areas regarding knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene.

A study to assess the knowledge and practices of menstruation among rural adolescent girls

Background: Adolescence is phase of maturations where an individual experiences drastic changes in growth and development. Age group 10-19 years is defined as adolescent age by World health organization. In developing countries, this is the period when many children drop-out of school and miss out on education. Among adolescent girls’ menstruation is a major life changing event. We conducted this study among rural adolescent girls to know their knowledge, attitude and practices towards menstruation. We also educated all girls on physiology and hygienic practices during menstruation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls attending our out-patient clinic in the rural area. All girls were interviewed to assess their knowledge and practices towards menstruation. Informed consent was taken from all girls before stating the study. Data presented in form of frequency, percentages. Chi-square test was applied to analyze for association.Results: 87% were students, 88% adolescent girls belonged to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. 98% adolescent girls had attained menarche before 15 years of age, 27% adolescent girls had dysmenorrhea presenting as pain in abdomen region. Sanitary pad was being used by only 64% adolescent girls, of whom, 59.4% change sanitary pad twice daily, 75% dispose it by burning. Overall, 36% adolescent girls used cloth, of whom, 41.7% changed cloth twice a day, 69.4% adolescent girls wash and burn the cloth. Among adolescent girls still studying in school 71.2% used sanitary pads which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Education is essential to empower girls to take informed decisions. On receiving adequate information on menstruation, girls were willing to adapt healthy hygienic practices. Hence, health education activities should be started at all schools so as to inculcate good practices early in life.

Adet Kanaması: Dört Kuşağın Bilgi ve Deneyimleri

Makale adet kanamasının farklı kuşak kadınlar tarafından nasıl deneyimlendiği, adet görme bilgisinin ve deneyiminin kadınlar arasında nasıl aktarıldığı/paylaşıldığı sorularını temel alarak dört kuşak aile üyesiyle yapılan derinlemesine mülakatlar etrafında şekilleniyor. Bu çalışma, büyük anneanne, anneanne, anne ve kız çocuğundan müteşekkil dört aile üyesinin deneyimin ifadeleri olarak adet görmeye yükledikleri sembolik anlamlara, bu konudaki bilgilerine, adet kanaması için kullandıkları maddi nesnelere ve adet kanaması esnasındaki pratiklerine odaklanıyor. Bilgi paylaşımının ve deneyim aktarımının genellikle anne-kız çocuğu arasında, iki kuşakla sınırlı olduğu aile üyelerinin adet kanamasını deneyimleri, mevcut erkek egemen kültür nedeniyle ortaklaşırken, dönemsel farklılıklar, kent yaşamı, eğitim seviyesi, modernleşme gibi faktörler nedeniyle birbirinden ayrılıyor. Normal bedenin adet görmeyen beden, daha doğrusu erkek bedeni olduğu kabulüyle inşa edilen adet görme adabı, kadınların adet kanamasını gizlemesini ve suskunlukla örtmesini temel alıyor. Bu kurallar aynı ailenin dört kuşak üyesi arasında kısmen farklılaşsa da paylaşılmaya devam ediyor.

Menstruation practice among school and out-of-school adolescent girls, Lao PDR

ABSTRACT Background The transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical transitional period for girls, and as they experience these changes, having knowledge of, and being able to practice, good menstruation hygiene management is crucial. The objective of this study was to understand in and out of school adolescents’ menstrual hygiene management practice, sources of information and attitudes towards menstruation. Methods A cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted between November 2018 and May 2019. The sampling included adolescent girls aged 11–19 years in higher secondary schools in Khammouane and Champassak provinces and out-of-school adolescent girls. Out of the total number of 433 participants enrolled in the study, only 343 girls had reached menarche and were included in the study. Factors associated with menstruation hygiene management practice were examined with bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results Out of 343 subjects who had reached menarche, 44% reported good menstrual hygiene management practice. Over half of the participants, however, were unable to access the tools of good menstruation hygiene management practice, including having somewhere to dispose of used sanitary pads in private. Being older (16–19 years) (AOR:2.4; 95%CI 1.4 to 3.9), and having primary education (AOR 0.4; 95%CI 0.2 to 0.9) were associated with good practice as was fathers’ level of education (AOR 2.1; 95%CI 1.0 to 4.1) and mother-girl discussion about menstruation (AOR 2.2; 95%CI 1.0 to 5.0). No significant differences were found between in- and out-of-school adolescents. Conclusions In this study, not all participants were able to practice optimal menstruation hygiene management. This is important as good menstrual hygiene management is associated with better health and being able to participate fully in education and work. Further education is needed, but it is also important to ensure that all adolescent girls have access to the necessary tools for effective menstruation hygiene management.

Study of menstrual hygiene and awareness of Udita corners among adolescent girls in Indore district.

Introduction: Menstruation is a normal physiological process indicating beginning of reproductive life but sometimes it is considered as unclean phenomenon in the Indian society. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls in the age group of 10-19 years in rural areas. In Madhya Pradesh, Directorate ICDS and Water Aid India started the Udita Project on Menstrual Hygiene Day. Methodology: This is a Cross-sectional study done for a period of 12 months. Sampling method used is Multi-stage random Sampling. Semi structured open ended questionnaires was used as a study tool to interview adolescent girls. Questionnaire consists of questions related to knowledge attitude and practice regarding the menstruation. Results: Out of 150 girls from urban AWCs 54.6% belonged to 11-14 and 45.3% to 14-18. In rural AWCs out of 150 girls 57.3 were from 11-14 years while 42.6% were from 14-18 years. Mean age for 11-18 years was 14.31.There was significant difference between beneficiaries of urban and rural AWCs with regards to knowledge and practice of menstruation and its hygienic practices. Significant difference (P=0.001) was noted between beneficiaries from rural and urban AWCs regarding awareness of Udita corners. Conclusion: Although, schemes similar to Udita project are started in some states, if implemented effectively across the country, it would contribute greatly to create increased awareness of menstrual hygiene and ultimately healthy population of women in the future.

A rite of passage: a mixed methodology study about knowledge, perceptions and practices of menstrual hygiene management in rural Gambia

BackgroundAppropriate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is impeded by taboos and secrecy surrounding menstruation. Unhygienic menstrual practices and unpreparedness for managing menstruation has been associated with adverse health and social outcomes among adolescent girls. In The Gambia, there is limited data on menstrual practices among girls and women in rural communities and the sources of information about menstruation for the adolescents. This study aimed to explore knowledge, preparedness and practices of menstruation and its management among adolescents, mothers and teachers in rural Gambia.MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted in the rural Kiang West district of The Gambia. Twenty focus group discussions and thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted among mothers, adolescents and teachers to explore their views on menstruation, cultural beliefs, sources and level of knowledge on menstruation and MHM practices. In addition, a survey was done among 331 school girls to assess their knowledge, practices and attitudes of menstruation and its management. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data, and descriptive analysis and chi-squared tests were used to analyse quantitative data.ResultsAll participants had different levels of knowledge about menstruation. Knowledge score was higher among post-menarche girls compare with pre-menarche girls (p = 0.0001). All groups expressed difficulties, embarrassment and shame in relation to discussing menstruation. Two thirds of the surveyed girls reported having learnt about menstruation before menarche, however at menarche most felt unprepared. Teachers were the main source of information, but when asking for advice most girls preferred to ask their mothers. Mothers reported facing difficulties in discussing menstruation with their children and felt that boys did not need to be taught about it, however boys were very curious to know about. Most girls used reusable cloth unless they are given free pads from school.ConclusionTaboos, secrecy and embarrassment associated with discussing menstruation hinder adolescents from seeking advice from parents and teachers on appropriate MHM practices. Strategies to encourage positive social norms towards menstruation would help to promote more open discussions about it at the family, community and national level, which will support improvements in MHM in this and similar communities in low and middle income settings.

Study on Awareness and Practices of Menstruation amongst Unmarried Female Adolescents in a Semi Urban Area of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Study on Awareness and Practices of Menstruation amongst Unmarried Female Adolescents in a Semi Urban Area of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

A study on perception and practice of menstruation among school going adolescent girls in district Ambala Haryana, India

Background: Adolescence is a highly dynamic period characterized by rapid growth and development. Adolescent girls have limited knowledge about menstruation and its hygiene, this study will be carried out among the school going adolescents in rural and urban area of Ambala district with the following aims and objectives, Status of knowledge of school going adolescent girls about menstruation and their practice during menstruation. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambala district Haryana, sample were taken by multi-stage random sampling during June to December 2015. A total 400 adolescents were taken from class 9th to 12th from four Secondary schools two from urban and two from rural school. Data were collected by interview method with the help of a pre-tested predesigned semi structures questionnaire. Results: Mean age of adolescent girls was 15.26±1.61 years. 95% of adolescent’s attained menarche at the time of interview; Mean age of menarche in the study subjects was 12.21±1.70 year. 51.2% girls had negative reactions to menarche like scared, upset/guilt discomfort etc. Common problem reported by adolescents girls were abdominal pain 77.6%, approx. 9.7% adolescent girls did not practice any restriction during menstruation. Most common restriction were restricted from physical activities and visit religious place, mother was the main sources of knowledge regarding menstruation. Majority of girls had not heard about menstruation at the time of menarche (55.7%) while 65.3% were afraid after first menstruation. Conclusion: Low level of knowledge about menstruation, poor menstrual hygiene was found in our study. There is a different type of misconception, myths, restriction and lack of menstruation related knowledge. Education regarding menstruation reproductive health with more focus on menstrual hygiene should be made a part of school curriculum.

Comparative study on menstrual hygiene in rural and urban adolescent girls

Background: Lack of knowledge and poor personal hygienic practices during menstruation can lead to various gynecological problems in the reproductive life of girls. There is difference in prior awareness about menstruation and menstrual hygiene among rural and urban adolescent girls. Aims & Objective: To study and compare knowledge, attitude and practices of menstruation and menstrual hygiene in rural and urban adolescent girls. Material and Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study in rural and urban filed practice area of Indira Gandhi government medical college, Nagpur on the 310 adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years from each area. Results: Awareness regarding menstruation was more in urban adolescent girls (63.38%) as compared to rural (47.57%). 62.03% of urban girls were using commercially available sanitary pads as compared to 43.4% of rural girls. Conclusion: Awareness regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene was unsatisfactory in rural area as compared to urban area.

Awareness and practices of menstruation and pubertal changes amongst unmarried female adolescents in a rural area of East Delhi

This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the village of Gazipur in East Delhi from April 1998 to November 1998. Unmarried girls between the ages of 10-19 years comprised the study group. Only girls from the local permanent population who had resided in the village for at least five years before the inception of the study were included. There were 500 adolescent girls in the study area out of which 251 formed the study group. The 251 girls were interviewed through a door-to-door survey using a precoded pretested and close-ended questionnaire. The main limitation was that whereas our inclusion criteria specified only unmarried adolescent girls as eligible for the study the average age at marriage in the study area was low and most older adolescent girls were already married. Out of the 251 girls 127 had attained menarche. Of the 251 girls 71 (28.2%) were in the age-group of 10-11 years 60 (23.9%) were in the age-group of 12-13 years 52 (20.7%) were in the age group of 14-15 years 35 (14%) were in the age-group of 16-17 years and 33 (13.2%) were in the age-group of 18-19 years. (excerpt)