A descriptive study of menstrual hygiene practices among women at the rural area of Haryana

Context: Menstruation is physiological phenomenon for women demonstrating her ability for reproduction. In developing country, such as India, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a significant issue for women because of poor water supply and sanitation, privacy and security, and inappropriate puberty education. Lack of hygienic MHM items (absorbents) also cause women to perceive menstruation as a burden. Aims: This study aimed to assess the practices of women regarding menstrual hygiene. Setting and Design: The present, descriptive analytical study was conducted in three rural provinces of Ambala district in Haryana, India (from October 2017 to October 2018). Materials and Methods: The quantitative research approach with descriptive survey design was used to assess the practices of 800 women residing in the rural areas of Ambala District, Haryana by using the convenience sampling technique. Women under the reproductive age group of 14-49 years who attained the menarche were included in the study. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were collected by using the structured practices questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done using percentage and frequency. Results: Majority (56%) of women was in the age group of 14-25 years and most (92%) of them were eager to know more about menstrual hygiene. Majority (79.87%) of women assumed menstruation as a biological process, whereas only 11.09% assumed the menstruation blood as a normal blood. Nearly two-third (70.50%) preferred to use cloth as absorbent and most (88.37%) of women dispose used absorbent in dustbin. About 34.72% were facing religious limitations as a problem during menstruation. Conclusion: Practices regarding menstrual hygiene is still not adequate, whereas many of the socio-cultural restriction persist among women. There is a need of appropriate education to abolishing the myths related to menstruation.