Title: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Difficulties Faced by Menstruating Female due to Various Myths, Norms and Practices Regarding Menstruation in Indore City
Authors: Dr Pranjal Shrivastava, Dr S.B.Bansal, Dr Sanjay Dixit, Dr Geeta Shivram
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.127
Abstract
Introduction: There are various taboos present in Indian society related to menstruation. These taboos ultimately lead to poor menstrual hygiene. Various UTI, RTI, fungal infections and PID can be precipitated due to poor menstrual hygiene. Some neuropsychiatric disorders like PMS and depression are also common in menstruating women. The major objective of this research is To assess the prevalence of various taboos and norms present in various age groups and socio-economic groups of women. And to determine its effects on female health and hygiene.
Method: The study comprised of 400 randomly selected menstruating women of Indore city. The study included school girls, housewives as well as working women. Pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire were administered to the study subjects to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice during menstruation. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet and analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Software.
Result: This study showed that only 36% women knew the correct reason of menstruation and40% of the women faced social isolation, religious restrictions were imposed on 79% of the women. sanitary pad is used by only 63% of woman. As per this study 65% of the women suffer with PMS and more than half (57%) of the women prefer to rest and sleep as a remedy.
Conclusion: There are misbelieves and lack of knowledge related to menstruation among women of all age groups. Proper knowledge about nutrition and sanitation facilities, emotional disturbances and management of pain during menstruation needs to be provided to women of reproductive age group.
Keywords: Urban slum, Indore city, Menstruation, Sanitation, Low socioeconomic group female.
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