Investigating Menstrual Health Behaviour and Self-Efficacy among Rural Women in Mangalore, India: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MPH Scholar, Department of Public Health, K S Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte

2 Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, K S Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte

10.22038/jmrh.2024.74617.2190

Abstract

Background & aim: Menstruation, a physiological process in women, requires proper hygiene to prevent health risks; lack of knowledge and cultural taboos can lead to unsafe behaviours, potentially affecting women's well-being. This study has been conducted to determine the menstrual practices and self-efficacy of women regarding menstruation.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken among 275 females aged 15-49 years in the rural area of Mangalore taluk, India from October 2022 to July 2023. The information on menstrual practices and self-efficacy was collected using MPQ and SAMNS-26 questionnaire having reliability of α=0.84. A convenient sampling was used to select the village and systematic sampling was used to select the households. The data was entered and analysed through EpiData Manager V 4.6.0.6 and STATA version 14. Independent-T-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were executed. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The women's average self-efficacy scores were 58.24 ± 17.03. Regression analysis showed significant relationships between self-efficacy and occupation as well as location for drying menstruation fabric (p<0.05). Around 20% of the women relied on cloth for menstrual protection, while 80% of the women used disposable sanitary pads. 44.4% of participants flushed their menstrual materials after using them. Almost 40% of participants expressed privacy concerns about the disposal of menstrual waste.
Conclusion: This study highlights a lack of awareness among women regarding modern menstrual protection methods, alongside persistent practices that adversely affect women’s confidence during menstruation. Necessary program to raise awareness about their menstruation practice should be design.

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 February 2024

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