Urban Women Research Articles

EMBRACING KHADI: URBAN INDIAN WORKING WOMEN'S AFFINITY FOR WESTERN OFFICE ATTIRE

In urban India number of women’s joining the corporate firms has grown significantly and hence the market for women’s office wear is expanding exponentially. The work wear outfit choices of these women’s matters a lot to them as it reflects their personality and somewhere their position in workplace. With changing lifestyles, women’s preference for western office wear outfits has increased. Also, on the other hand Consumer lifestyle preferences in Urban India shows some awareness and inclination towards sustainable fashion choices. This paper aims to analyse Urban Indian working women acceptance for western office wear outfits made using Khadi fabric which is one of the sustainable textile materials. This paper is an extension to a previous study on understanding consumer behaviour towards sustainable fashion and office wear outfit need and preferences of working women in India. For the research western office wear outfits styles were developed using Khadi Fabric material and were subjected to analysis on seven parameters – Fabric look and feel, Garment Quality, Garment Comfort, Garment Style and fashion, Garment Size and Fit, Garment care and maintenance and Garment Price and value. The primary data for the study has been collected from user’s study conducted over the period of three months with an average of once in a week usage of the garment The goal of primary research is to capture users authentic experiences as a potential consumer - while wearing the garment and after care. The findings suggest that the acceptance by users and potential target consumer was significantly related to the seven analysis parameters. This research recommends Sustainable Fashion brands, Women’s western office wear brands, Khadi weavers and designers to adapt and diversify Khadi in such a way which can deliver higher level of customer value and satisfaction Also the research can be useful for customers to adopt Khadi and for other stakeholders to popularize it.

Toward sustainable development goals in gender inequality: an analysis of gender preferences among urban pregnant women in a Southeast Asian country

BackgroundGender-biased discrimination and preferences are global phenomena, particularly son preferences. However, updated evidence about this issue in Vietnam has not yet been provided. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the gender preferences among pregnant women and identify associated factors of such preferences.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in two hospitals in Vietnam with 732 pregnant women. Gender preferences for their child were asked, along with socio-demographic (e.g., education, occupation) and pregnancy characteristics (e.g., pressure to have a son, gender of first child, the importance to have a son of family members, and information sources on pregnancy care) by using face-to-face interviews and a structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with gender preferences.ResultsAbout 51.9% of the participants had no gender preference, while, among those who had a gender preference, 26.5% preferred sons, and 21.6% preferred daughters. Only 6.2% had pressure to have a son. Having the first child who was female (OR = 4.16, 95%CI = 1.54–11.25), having the pressure to have a son (OR = 6.77, 95%CI = 2.06–22.26), and higher self-perceived importance to have a son (OR = 3.05, 95%CI = 1.85–5.02) were positively associated with son preference. Otherwise, women having partners with high school education or above (OR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.06–3.91), living with parents-in-law (OR = 2.33; 95%CI = 1.25–4.34), the higher number of pregnancies, and a higher degree of importance in having a son regarding parents-in-law (OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.38–3.35) associated with higher odds of preferring daughter.ConclusionThis study showed that gender preference was common among pregnant women, but the pressure to have a son was low. Further education programs and legal institutions should be implemented to improve gender inequality and gender preference in society.

A decade beyond the economic recession: A study of health-related lifestyles in urban and rural Spain (2006-2017).

The 2008 economic recession may have affected health-related indicators differently depending on the living environment. We analyze health-related indicators in Spain using data from four Spanish health surveys (2006, 2011, 2014, and 2017, 95 924 individuals aged ≥16 years). In 2006-2011, physical activity decreased among men and women, while in 2006-2017, physical activity only decreased among urban women. Daily vegetable intake, except in rural women, increased in 2006-2011 but decreased in 2006-2017 in all groups. Smoking decreased among urban women in 2006-2011 and 2006-2014 but only decreased among men, and even increased among rural women, in 2006-2017. In 2006-2017, obesity increased among men and urban women, good self-rated health status increased in all groups and flu vaccination declined. Blood pressure and cholesterol control decreased in urban women in 2006-2011 but increased in 2006-2017 in all groups, as well as mammographic and cytological control. Our findings highlight the differential impact of the economic recession on health-related lifestyles according to sex and place of residence, underscoring the need for targeted health policies to address evolving health disparities over time.

MODERN CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG URBAN AND RURAL YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN IN INDONESIA

Family planning is generally recognized as a crucial key in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to explore whether the predictors of modern contraceptive use among young married women differ by place of residence. The data were drawn from the 2019 Indonesia Population, Family Planning, and Family Development Program Performance and Accountability Survey. This study restricted the sample of non-pregnant married women aged 15-24, resulting in a sample of 3,927 young married women. Logistic regression with the place of residence variable used as an interaction term to model the association between selected social, economic, and demographic variables and the outcome variable, modern contraceptive use for each group of women. The number of living children and region exhibited significant variability in contraceptive use among urban and rural young married women. Urban young married women with 1-2 children had higher odds (OR = 27.10; p = 0.000) of using contraceptives compared to rural ones (OR = 15.60; p = 0.000) in regard to number of living children. Rural women residing other islands (non-Java Bali) were less affected (OR = 0.59; p = 0.000) than urban young married women in accessing modern contraceptives (OR = 0.64; p = 0.002). Disseminating information, education, and communication about the health risk of having more than two children would improve the use of modern contraceptives. Family planning policies should also be tailored to address the specific needs of different places of residence with geographical regions.

The labour market dilemma of young urban women in India: An outcome of family welfare optimization

This paper uses a theoretical model to explain the patterns and determinants of labour market participation behaviour of young urban women in India. Based on the National Sample Survey (NSS) data and through probit regression results, it argues that the labour market participation decision of young women is an outcome of the joint utility maximization behaviour of their family. The standard of living of the family, market wage, other family characteristics, including the number of children, adult women in the family, elderly members, and occupation, and gender of the head, etc., are significantly determining their labour market participation; apart from women’s individual characteristics like age (experience) and level of education and training. The empirical result also reflects that the “discouraged worker effect” is stronger than the “added worker phenomenon”. Hence, measures to create jobs in modern services could help boost the stagnant female labour force participation in urban India.

Pengaruh video edukasi sadar gizi terhadap tingkat pengetahuan dan sikap terkait gizi pada wanita gizi lebih di wilayah perkotaan

The effect of mindful nutrition educational video on knowledge levels and attitudes related to nutrition among overweight women Background: High consumption of food without emotional control or mindless eating has been identified may increase the prevalence of overweight among urban women. Mindful eating intervention has been identified may improve nutritional status among overweight. However, the mechanism of whether this intervention may influence nutritional knowledge and attitude remains unknown. Objective: The study investigates the effectiveness of mindful eating videos on nutritional knowledge and attitude among urban women with overweight. Methods: The research method was used pre-experimental with a one-group pretest-posttest research design on 42 overweight women aged 20-29 years in West Java and Jakarta. The intervention was carried out for 5 weeks using validated mindful eating videos. Knowledge and attitudes were measured by pre-test and post-test questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out by paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon test. Results: The results of this study indicate that the provision of mindful nutrition education video is not effective in increasing knowledge related to nutrition (p-value= 0.082) while effective in improving attitudes related to nutrition (p-value=0.0001).Conclusions: Nutrition awareness education with online videos can be used as a media for nutritional intervention that affects attitudes related to nutrition, but does not affect the increase in knowledge of women with overweight.

Inhalation of smoke from cooking activities in Katanga, a health burden among women users of charcoal and firewood

This study focused on the Inhalation of smoke from culinary activities in Katanga. It was carried out over a period of approximately 4 years. The study population consisted of women whose average age was 37.8 (16) years. On the one hand, 119 rural women (permanent users of coal in the Futuka village and 121 urban women (FU) in the Vallée urban district of the city of Lubumbashi were approached and selected. The fundamental question was whether prolonged or sporadic exposure to smoke from cooking activities could be an exposure factor to the risk of respiratory infections. Following the investigations made and the multiple functional explorations, we arrived at the confirmation of this hypothesis . In view of the results obtained, we found that the frequency of use of these biomasses oscillated respectively between 63.6% in town and 75% in rural areas. In the two female categories considered, the rates of cough and morning and usual sputum were, in almost all cases, higher among women from Futuka than among those from the Vallée district. Concerning the crisis of breathlessness and difficulty breathing, we noticed that for the three parameters observed (morning awakening with difficulty breathing, shortness of breath at rest during the day and shortness of breath after intense effort), the women users of the Vallée district were the more affected. For the values, apart from the Tiffnaud ratio (FEV1/FVC%), the functional exploration using the spirometer showed overall that almost all the spirometric parameters led to statistically significant differences between urban women (FU ) of the Vallée district and rural (FR) of the Futuka village. These are the forced vital capacity (FVC% pred with a p=0.034), the peak expiratory flow (PEF with a p value of 0.000) and the expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1% pred with a p value of 0.000).

Buildings, air quality and mental health conditions: a review of intervention studies

Abstract In high-income countries, people spend most time inside buildings, and the quality of the building including indoor air quality (e.g. particulate matter and gasses such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) can contribute mental health conditions. Additionally, buildings are home. “Home” is associated with sense of security and belonging. However, there has been comparatively little research into the ways in which both, housing and indoor air quality, and feelings of security and belonging may contribute to mental health conditions. To provide 1) an update of relevant studies on housing and air quality and mental health conditions in urban men and women, with a special focus on intervention studies before and after retrofit of buildings and to 2) identify gaps in research. To respond to aim one Intervention studies before and after retrofit of buildings were reviewed. To respond to aim two qualitative studies on home and belonging were reviewed. Results suggests that pollutant concentrations and ventilation vary widely across buildings. After retrofit pollutant concentrations decreased significantly. Building characteristics, such as ventilation and pollution from combustion is related to mental health conditions. The negative impacts of low-quality housing, however, fall inequitably. Women and older persons who stay longer inside buildings in buildings are more exposed than those who stay less time inside buildings. The feeling of home and security have been neglected and may provide inside into effect moderation and modification of the association between buildings and mental health conditions. Housing is a critical social, and environmental determinant of health and mental health. Despite evidence on aspects of the overall effectiveness of improved housing this study adds to the identify gaps in research and calls for interdisciplinary research including Public Health, humanities and architecture.

The relationship between mother's age and newborn birth weight: a retrospective study

Background: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of maternal age on neonatal birth weight.
 Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the neonatal birth weight of singleton term infants born to nulliparous, non-diabetic, urban women who delivered at Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd, Iran, between 2020 and 2021. Maternal age groups were defined as adolescents (≤19 years old) and adults (20-40 years old) using data from archived files.
 Results: A total of 963 cases were included in this study, with 217 adolescents and 746 adults. The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 gr) was 10.6% (102 cases), and macrosomia (>4000 gr) was observed in 7.1% (68 cases) of the neonates. There was a significantly higher rate of neonatal LBW among adolescent mothers.
 Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that maternal age has an impact on neonatal birth weight. The incidence of LBW is increased among adolescent mothers.

Stories of women's marriage and fertility experiences: Qualitative research on urban and rural cases in Bali, Indonesia

Background: As a Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, Bali presents a unique and distinctive culture. Patrilocal (purusa) marriage and patrilineal inheritance as a continuation of the patriarchal system puts a man in the key role as a family successor. Having a son is a priority for a married couple in Balinese society. As a consequence, Balinese women experience several constraints related to their economic productive, reproductive, and adat (ritual) roles. When a family does not have a male heir, their daughter is pressed to find a spouse willing to accept sentana (matrilocal) marriage. This secondary form of marriage brings another complication for Balinese-Hindu women and does not necessarily relieve their submissive position. This research analyzes Balinese-Hindu women’s perspectives on their marriage experiences and fertility decisions. Methods: The data was collected in two areas representing rural (Banjar Tumbakasa in Gianyar) and urban (Banjar Biaung in Denpasar) locations in Bali Province, Indonesia from November 2019 to February 2020. Primary data was based on in-depth interviews of six rural and six urban married Balinese-Hindu women. Results: This qualitative inquiry into Balinese women's experience of the marriage system and fertility options in urban and rural Bali revealed varying degrees of social expectation to provide male descendants for their families. At the same time, economic burdens still haunt them in this development era, and have conflicting implications for family size. Their stories of purusa (patrilocal) and sentana (matrilocal) marriage were complex, being strongly associated with customary law (adat) in traditional society. Paradoxically, however, it was rural women in the study sample who disproportionately opted for the sentana arrangement and limitation of family size. Conclusions: This study explores women's fertility aspirations, notably regarding son precedence. It problematizes the sentana marriage alternative as a solution to lighten the expectations and burdens affecting women.

Urban nutrition situation in the slums of three cities in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Urban-poor households are disproportionately food insecure. The Status and Determinants of Food Insecurity and Undernutrition in Poor Urban Settings (SDFU)cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2020-2021 to assess the impacts of COVID-19on food security and diet quality among urban poor women of reproductive age (WRA)and children under 5 (CU5)in Jakarta, Quezon City, and Yangon. Data, collected on food insecurity and child and maternal diet quality using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI),were compared with prepandemic surveys. Prevalence for food insecurity and diet quality indicators were computed. Eight in 10 households in all three cities reported reduced incomes, with 6 in 10 worried about food the previous year. Over 10% of households in all cities substituted nutrient-dense (ND)foods with cheaper alternatives; yet less than 50% of children 6-59 months ate sugar-sweetened beverages or sweet and savoury snacks. Compared with baseline, women's minimum dietary diversity (MDD)in the three cities was significantly lower (up to 30% lower in Yangon and Jakarta), while the prevalence of children (6-23 months) meeting MDD was lower by 17.4%-42.5% in all cities. MDD was attained by >40% of children (24-59 months) in Yangon and Jakarta but only 12.6% in Quezon City. To improve food security and diet quality, multi-sectoral interventions are needed, including distributing ND foods and cash assistance to vulnerable households with CU5 and WRA and delivering targeted nutrition training to encourage appropriate complementary feeding practices and purchasing and consumption of ND foods.

Rural-urban differences of sarcopenia and spinal health in the older women: a comparative observational study.

We aimed to investigate the correlation between spinal sarcopenia, spinal sagittal balance (SSB), and spinal function in older women living in rural areas versus those of the older urban women in our previous study. Twenty-five older rural-dwelling women aged more than 70 years were compared with 24 older urban-dwelling women from our previous study. Demographic variables, conventional and spinal sarcopenic indices, variable functional outcome parameters, occupational state, and exercise participation rate were evaluated. We also measured the isometric back extensor strength, radiological parameters for SSB on whole-spine radiography, and volumetric parameters of the lumbar extensor muscle on computed tomography. There were no significant intergroup differences in demographic variables or the prevalence of sarcopenia. Older women in rural areas had greater handgrip strength than those in urban areas (22.7&plusmn;3.7 kg v 20.0&plusmn;3.4 kg, p=0.010). However, their mean lumbar lordosis angle was lower (31.7&plusmn;15.3&deg; v 42.3&plusmn;11.2&deg;, p=0.012). Isometric back extensor strength was lower in rural women than in urban women. The vocational activity participation rate of rural women was significantly higher (84% v 12.5%, p<0.001), whereas their exercise participation rate was significantly lower (60% v 92%, p<0.001). Older women in rural areas had greater handgrip strength and vocational participation rates but lower back extensor strength and exercise participation rates. Therefore, more attention is needed for healthcare services to support their spinal health and exercise habits.

Predictors of Hypertension among Indian Women of Reproductive Age Group: An Analysis from NFHS -5 Data

Introduction: Hypertension among women not only augments the risk of cardiovascular diseases but also leads to antenatal and intra-natal complications. Materials and Methods: A subset of data collected during National Family Health Survey-5, comprising of 7,24,115 women, 15–49 years of age was analysed to identify key predictors of hypertension, using Probit Regression Model (PRM) which was run separately for rural and urban women. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension among women of reproductive age group was 11% (10.4% and 12% in rural and urban areas respectively). 5% and 13.41% of women were obese and 1.2% and 2.6% were diabetic in rural and urban areas respectively. Obese, uneducated, rich women and those on medications showed higher prevalence, while women consuming milk, eggs, chicken, fruits, and vegetables daily showed lower prevalence. On using PRM, significant predictors of hypertension were increasing age, rural residence, pregnancy, increasing weight, diabetes, illiteracy, access to medical insurance, and indulgence in alcohol and smoking. Conclusion: Findings from the study contribute to the body of evidence favouring multifactorial causation. Hypertension awareness should be promoted especially among rural residents, older women, with emphasis on intake of balanced diet with less consumption of sodium and increased intake of fruits and vegetables.

On the geographic access to healthcare, beyond proximity.

This study examined the incongruence of travel distance between the nearest provider and the provider that pregnant woman actually chose to visit. Using a dataset of South Carolina claims including rural and urban areas for the period 2014-2018 based on live births of 27,290 pregnant women, we compared the travel distance and travel time for two providers of health: the nearest facility and the main one for the area in question. The number of the former type was counted for every case. The mean travel distance/time to the nearest provider was 3.2 miles (5.2 km) and 5.0 minutes, while that to the main (predominant) provider was 23.0 miles (37.0 km) and 31.7 minutes. Only 21.6% of pregnant women chose one of the closest facilities as their provider. The mean travel distance and time to the nearest provider for women in rural areas were more than twice that for urban women but only 1.2 times for the main provider. Rural women had one third fewer providers situated closer than the main in comparison to number available for urban women. Thus, we conclude that proximity is not the only factor associated with access to healthcare. While evaluating geographic access, the number of available health providers within the mean travel distance or time would be a better indicator of proximate access.

Disparities in Antenatal Care Visits between Urban and Rural Ethiopian Women.

Utilizing antenatal care is one of the best ways to identify issues that are already present or could arise throughout pregnancy. Despite increased efforts to expand health services and antenatal care utilization, less is known regarding antenatal care disparities across different population segments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the degree of discrepancies between urban and rural Ethiopian pregnant women's use of antenatal care. A total sample of 3927 women who gave birth to living children between 2014 and 2019 was included in the study from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey. Negative binomial Poisson's regression was adopted to analyze the data. The majority of pregnant women (73.8%) attend at least one antenatal care. Pregnant women in rural areas visited fewer number of antenatal care (68.36%) than those in urban areas (90.1%). Women with age range of 30-40 (IRR: 4.56, 95% CI: 1.07-19.34), women with attending incomplete primary education (IRR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.12), women with attending complete primary education (IRR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.07-0.42), women from middle-income households (IRR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.06-0.24), women from richer household (IRR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14,0.5), women from the richest household (IRR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24-0.86), and pregnant women from rural areas (IRR: 0.615, 95%: 0.56-0.67) were observed to be linked with the frequency of antenatal care visits. In Ethiopia, three-fourths of pregnant women attend at least one antenatal care. Place of residence, educational attainment, age in five years' group, and wealth index for urban/rural were related to the frequency of antenatal care visits.

Health-related quality of life of the rural and urban population in Western Siberia: a descriptive study

Aim. To assess the health-related quality of life of the rural and urban population in Western Siberia.Materials and methods. The study was conducted by simple random sampling of 205 people (97 men and 108 women) from residents of rural areas of the Omsk region (n = 132) and the city of Omsk (n = 73). The method of active survey in the form of an interview was used. The MOS SF-36 health survey questionnaire was used in combination with a specially developed questionnaire for sociological studies of the health of rural populations.Results. The highest scores were found on the scales of physical (PF), role physical (RF), and social functioning (SF). For the majority of questionnaire scales, the values obtained for rural residents were lower than those for urban residents. These concerned the PF, General Health (GH), Vitality (VT), SF, and mental health (MH) scales. The values characterizing the physical and psychological components of health were also lower in rural residents. A similar pattern was established when comparing the indicators of rural and urban men on the VT, SF, and MH scales. When comparing the indicators of rural and urban women, significant differences were found on the PF, GH, VT, SF, and MH scales. On all these scales, indicators were also higher among urban women. The respondents’ answers to questions about physical well-being and mental state showed a greater severity of characteristics indicating the development of emotional exhaustion among rural residents.Conclusion. The established low levels of the health-related quality of life among the rural population of the region indicate the relevance of developing and implementing respective targeted preventive programs.

COVID-19, Income Shocks, and Women’s Employment in India

Existing evidence shows that the COVID-19 pandemic led to larger employment losses for working women in India. This article examines the heterogeneity that underlies these trends by studying the impact of income shocks due to the COVID-19 induced national lockdown (April–May 2020) on women’s employment. Using individual-level panel data and a difference-in-differences strategy that exploits the imposition of the lockdown and accounts for seasonal employment trends, the study finds that women in households facing a hundred percent reduction in men’s income during the lockdown were 1.57 pp (27 percent) more likely to take up work after restrictions eased (June–August 2020). These results are predominant in poorer and less educated households. However, these positive employment trends are largely transitory as the effect on women’s employment reduces to 13 percent in these households during September–December 2020. These findings underscore the use of women’s labor as insurance during low-income periods by poorer households. HIGHLIGHTS Women’s labor acts as insurance during periods of men’s income loss. The increase in labor market participation is only observed for married women. Rural women participate in less-secure casual agricultural labor. Urban women access more secure fixed-wage work and self-employment. Increase in women’s labor force participation is mostly transitory.

Vaccination against COVID-19 and socioeconomic inequalities: A cross-sectional study in Ecuador

BackgroundEquity in vaccination against COVID-19 is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to analyze socioeconomic inequalities related to vaccination for the first and second doses from primary series against COVID-19 in Ecuador. MethodsSecondary database study in 12,743,507 respondents from 15 years and over. The COVID-19 section of the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment (ENEMDU) was analyzed. Socioeconomic characteristics and vaccination against COVID-19 were associated with the at least one dose and second dose. Poisson regressions for complex samples were obtained. ResultsAs of the date of the survey, 87.3% of the sample (95% CI 86.7%-87.8%) had received at least one vaccine against COVID-19. A lower probability of having received at least one vaccine against COVID-19 was found in rural areas (PR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74–0.91), indigenous population (PR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29–0.64), no level of education (PR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14–0.43), and the lowest economic income (PR 0.42, 95% CI 0.35–0.52). A significantly lower probability of vaccination with two or more doses was found in rural vs urban area (PR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80–0.96), women vs men (PR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77–0.91), indigenous population vs white (PR 0.44, 95% CI 0.33–0.59) and individuals in the lowest income quartile vs highest income quartile (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.42–0.55). Underemployment, population economically inactive (PR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.88 and PR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.83) and individuals with no level of education (PR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27–0.58) also were less likely to complete the primary phase of vaccination compared with individuals in the highest income quartile, employment and postgraduate level of education. ConclusionsThere were socioeconomic inequalities with the primary series of vaccine against COVID-19, with a greater disadvantage for rural residents, women, indigenous populations, lower economic income and lower levels of education.

Comprehend the Women in the Middle Ages from The Parisian Household Book

The late Middle Ages is a crucial period in the history of Western Europe for the transition to modern times. The social outlook of this period has changed a lot compared with the previous times. People who were in this context have generated their own expressions corresponding to the society at this time, mainly manifested as the change of views and values. This paper is aim at selecting the material called The Parisian Household Book (Le Mnagier de Paris) to do primary source analysis, then extensively collecting other documents about women, marriage and family in the Middle Ages for a more comprehensive interpretation. Through the research, we know the living conditions of urban women in the late medieval ages and the requirements of family or society to them from this instruction manual. Meanwhile, the following conclusions are drawn: in medieval marriage, both husband and wife had rights and obligations to fulfill. Some men with high social status taught their wives to manage the family well in order to maintain the stability of their class. For women, those who came from the countryside to the city were willing to accept such guidance, because these might become favorable tools for the improvement of their social standing.

Precluding Menstrual Cups from the Mainstream: A Prospective Interventional Analysis Among Urban Women in India.

Menstrual cups are considered a viable alternative to other menstrual hygiene products in many developed countries yet majority of women in India use pads and cloth for their menstrual hygiene. This prospective interventional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 100 women who tried cups for three menstrual cycles with the aim of highlighting the challenges posed by socio-cultural factors in India which prevent menstrual cups from becoming a mainstream menstrual hygiene product. Familiarity with pads delayed the switch to menstrual cups even among women who were aware of their benefits. The thought of vaginal insertion was the foremost deterrent along with uncertainty of cup size, need for privacy to sanitise the cup, fear of leakage and infections and familial disapproval. Adaptations to the nuances of cup use were fast and undemanding. No major health concerns were reported with the use of cups. Cultural factors in India pose various challenges to menstrual cup usage. Yet majority of women are likely to continue using menstrual cups after trying them. Women well-versed with sexuality and reproductive health face fewer difficulties and show better compliance. The foremost challenges found by this study are unique to the Indian context and continue to influence the choice of menstrual product.