Assessment of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among females of reproductive age group of Rama University Campus, Kanpur
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205689Keywords:
Females of reproductive age, Menstrual hygiene, RTI, Sanitary padAbstract
Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process indicating beginning of reproductive life but sometimes it is considered as unclean phenomenon, vulnerable to reproductive tract infection (RTI). Considering the relationship between menstrual hygiene problem and RTI, the study was undertaken to determine the demographics and knowledge, practices and awareness related to menstrual hygiene.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among non-medical females of age group 15 to 45 years, involved in different professions in the campus of Rama University, Kanpur. Study subjects were selected by simple randomization method and were interviewed for menstrual hygiene in pretested proforma and data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results: Eligible females using sanitary pads were mostly literate/students (55.6%) while those using old cloth pads were mainly Home makers (36.8%), mess workers/maid (35.1%). This difference was found to be statistically significant (χ2=27.055, p=0.001). Females of lower class (22.8%) were mostly using old cloth pads. Females have different ideas about menstruation viz. cleans body/remove dirty blood or fluids (19.5%); while 22.5% study females did not have any idea about menstruation. ‘Safe and easy to use’ was the main reason of using sanitary pads (32.5%) while easily available at home (31.3%), mothers/sisters/friends using it (24.1%), was main reason of using old cloth pads.
Conclusions: Literacy and social class has an impact on using sanitary pad by eligible females. Females using old cloth were due to family environment and lack of education. There is a need of correct knowledge from beginning i.e. school age and proper menstrual hygienic practices to protect the women from RTI.
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