Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey
Introduction: Health issues related to menstruation are often neglected and there lies a complete absence of health-seeking behavior. This study aimed to explore the usage of different Menstrual Hygiene Products (MHP), and menstrual problems among Indian menstruators. Material and Methods: A mixed m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Community and Family Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijcfm.ijcfm_97_23 |
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| author | Goutham Thumati Priyanka Samala Amrita Sarkar Suman Saurabh Mamta Gehlawat |
| author_facet | Goutham Thumati Priyanka Samala Amrita Sarkar Suman Saurabh Mamta Gehlawat |
| author_sort | Goutham Thumati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:
Health issues related to menstruation are often neglected and there lies a complete absence of health-seeking behavior. This study aimed to explore the usage of different Menstrual Hygiene Products (MHP), and menstrual problems among Indian menstruators.
Material and Methods:
A mixed method study was conducted over a period of two months using an online pretested semistructured questionnaire with sections on sociodemographic profile, MHP usage, and menstrual problems. A Google Form link was disseminated through various social media platforms. Data were extracted into Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using EpiData analysis.
Results:
787 participants took part in this survey. The mean age of participants was 25.5 (±6.9) years. Sanitary pads (91.7%) were the most common MHP used irrespective of the sociodemographic profile of the menstruators; followed by menstrual cups (13.8%), cloth (5.8%), cloth pads (4.4%), period panties (3.9%) and tampons (2.8%). Median Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on MHP was Indian National Rupee (INR) 106.5 (Inter-quartile range 80–250) per month. 78% of participants faced at least one menstrual problem (mood swings most common) and 17% faced Coronavirus disease pandemic-related menstrual problems.
Conclusion:
To combat the growing problem of disposable MHP waste, period poverty, and poor menstrual health-seeking behavior; Government and nongovernmental organizations need to work together and create awareness about hygienic usage of sustainable MHP. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eab0a41431ef4067b1c0eb6304026d44 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2395-2113 2666-3120 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Community and Family Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-eab0a41431ef4067b1c0eb6304026d442025-08-20T03:29:43ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Community and Family Medicine2395-21132666-31202025-01-01111616810.4103/ijcfm.ijcfm_97_23Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide surveyGoutham ThumatiPriyanka SamalaAmrita SarkarSuman SaurabhMamta GehlawatIntroduction: Health issues related to menstruation are often neglected and there lies a complete absence of health-seeking behavior. This study aimed to explore the usage of different Menstrual Hygiene Products (MHP), and menstrual problems among Indian menstruators. Material and Methods: A mixed method study was conducted over a period of two months using an online pretested semistructured questionnaire with sections on sociodemographic profile, MHP usage, and menstrual problems. A Google Form link was disseminated through various social media platforms. Data were extracted into Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using EpiData analysis. Results: 787 participants took part in this survey. The mean age of participants was 25.5 (±6.9) years. Sanitary pads (91.7%) were the most common MHP used irrespective of the sociodemographic profile of the menstruators; followed by menstrual cups (13.8%), cloth (5.8%), cloth pads (4.4%), period panties (3.9%) and tampons (2.8%). Median Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on MHP was Indian National Rupee (INR) 106.5 (Inter-quartile range 80–250) per month. 78% of participants faced at least one menstrual problem (mood swings most common) and 17% faced Coronavirus disease pandemic-related menstrual problems. Conclusion: To combat the growing problem of disposable MHP waste, period poverty, and poor menstrual health-seeking behavior; Government and nongovernmental organizations need to work together and create awareness about hygienic usage of sustainable MHP.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijcfm.ijcfm_97_23coronavirus diseasemenstrual hygienemenstruationout-of-pocket expenditureperiod povertysustainability |
| spellingShingle | Goutham Thumati Priyanka Samala Amrita Sarkar Suman Saurabh Mamta Gehlawat Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey Indian Journal of Community and Family Medicine coronavirus disease menstrual hygiene menstruation out-of-pocket expenditure period poverty sustainability |
| title | Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey |
| title_full | Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey |
| title_fullStr | Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey |
| title_short | Exploring menstrual hygiene products’ usage and health problems associated with menstruation in India: A nationwide survey |
| title_sort | exploring menstrual hygiene products usage and health problems associated with menstruation in india a nationwide survey |
| topic | coronavirus disease menstrual hygiene menstruation out-of-pocket expenditure period poverty sustainability |
| url | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijcfm.ijcfm_97_23 |
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