Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge and Practice in Women of Reproductive Age Group

Menstruation is considered as unclean in the Indian society. There is a large lacuna in the knowledge about menstruation. As a result, they have a negative attitude towards this phenomenon. Good hygiene practices such as the use of sanitary napkins and adequate genitalia cleaning and washing of hands are essential. Aims& Objectives: To assess the knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices in women of reproductive age group. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was done among the reproductive age group females at NRI general hospital. Study population is 200. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used. Inclusion criteria: All females who have attained menarche and in reproductive age group. Exclusion criteria: Menopause women and surgical history like hysterectomy. Results: The majority of the study population belonged to rural area are 57.5 %. Population belonging to below poverty line are 66 %.56.5 % of women do not know about menstruation before menarche. Sanitary napkin users are 76.5 %. Hand wash done with soap and water after toilet usage is 82.5 % i. e. ; among rural it is 73.91 % and among urban it is 94.11 %. Hand wash with soap and water in below poverty line group is 73.48 % and among above poverty line it is 100 %.92.5 % clean their genitalia every time after going to the washroom and 7.5 % do it occasionally. Among the study population, 2.5 % were diagnosed with urinary tract infections.3.5 % were diagnosed with vaginal infections.1.5 % were diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. Conclusion: Significant association is seen between hygiene practices and education of women, age, socio-economic status and residential status, prior awareness and knowledge about menstruation.