PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a major physiological change in a woman\'s life, but lack of knowledge, poor practices, socio-cultural barriers, poor access to products and their improper disposal have significant consequences on health, dignity and well-being of women and adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual health and hygiene amongst females of 10-49 years of age; explore the experiences and challenges of women during menstruation; and identify the key predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, we adopted a mixed methods approach for data collection. For quantitative household survey, a total of 921 respondents were selected from three districts of Odisha. Qualitative findings through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews supplemented the survey findings and helped to identify the barriers affecting good menstrual practices. Epi data version 2.5 and R 4.2.2 was used for data entry and data analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate proportion, mean and standard deviation; Chi square test was used to measure the association between categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistics analyses were done to identify predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene. For qualitative data analysis, thematic analysis approach was adopted using software Atlas.ti 8.
RESULTS: For 74.3% respondents, mothers were the primary source of information; about 61% respondents were using sanitary pad. The mean age at menarche was 12.9 years and almost 46% of respondents did not receive any information about menstruation before menarche. Lower age and education up to higher secondary level or above had statistically significant associations with the knowledge about menstruation. Age, caste, respondent\'s education, mother\'s education, sanitation facility, availability of water, accessibility and affordability for sanitary pads were found to be strongly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices.
CONCLUSIONS: Traditional beliefs regarding menstruation still persists at the community level. Educating mothers, increasing awareness about safe menstrual hygiene, providing adequate water and sanitation facilities and ensuring proper disposal of menstruation products need priority attention.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual health and hygiene amongst females of 10-49 years of age; explore the experiences and challenges of women during menstruation; and identify the key predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene.
METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, we adopted a mixed methods approach for data collection. For quantitative household survey, a total of 921 respondents were selected from three districts of Odisha. Qualitative findings through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews supplemented the survey findings and helped to identify the barriers affecting good menstrual practices. Epi data version 2.5 and R 4.2.2 was used for data entry and data analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate proportion, mean and standard deviation; Chi square test was used to measure the association between categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistics analyses were done to identify predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene. For qualitative data analysis, thematic analysis approach was adopted using software Atlas.ti 8.
RESULTS: For 74.3% respondents, mothers were the primary source of information; about 61% respondents were using sanitary pad. The mean age at menarche was 12.9 years and almost 46% of respondents did not receive any information about menstruation before menarche. Lower age and education up to higher secondary level or above had statistically significant associations with the knowledge about menstruation. Age, caste, respondent\'s education, mother\'s education, sanitation facility, availability of water, accessibility and affordability for sanitary pads were found to be strongly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices.
CONCLUSIONS: Traditional beliefs regarding menstruation still persists at the community level. Educating mothers, increasing awareness about safe menstrual hygiene, providing adequate water and sanitation facilities and ensuring proper disposal of menstruation products need priority attention.
摘要：
背景：月经是女性生活中的重大生理变化，但是缺乏知识，不良做法,社会文化障碍,难以获得产品及其不当处置会对健康产生重大影响，妇女和少女的尊严和福祉。
目的：本研究旨在评估10-49岁女性月经健康和卫生相关知识和实践；探索女性月经期间的经历和挑战；确定健康月经健康和卫生的关键预测因素。
方法：使用横断面研究设计，我们采用了混合方法进行数据收集。对于定量家庭调查，共有921名受访者来自奥里萨邦的三个地区。通过焦点小组讨论和深入访谈的定性发现补充了调查结果，并有助于确定影响良好月经习惯的障碍。Epi数据版本2.5和R4.2.2用于数据输入和数据分析，分别。描述性统计用于计算比例，均值和标准差；卡方检验用于测量分类变量之间的关联。进行了双变量和多变量物流分析，以确定健康月经健康和卫生的预测因素。对于定性数据分析，采用Atlas软件进行专题分析。ti8.
结果：对于74.3%的受访者，母亲是信息的主要来源;约61%的受访者使用卫生垫。初潮的平均年龄为12.9岁，几乎46％的受访者在初潮之前没有收到任何有关月经的信息。年龄较低，教育程度高，中学以上水平与月经知识具有统计学上的显着关联。年龄,种姓,受访者的教育，母亲的教育，卫生设施，水的可用性，发现卫生护垫的可及性和可负担性与良好的月经卫生习惯密切相关。
结论：关于月经的传统观念在社区层面仍然存在。教育母亲，提高对安全月经卫生的认识，需要优先注意提供足够的水和卫生设施，并确保适当处置月经产品。
目的：本研究旨在评估10-49岁女性月经健康和卫生相关知识和实践；探索女性月经期间的经历和挑战；确定健康月经健康和卫生的关键预测因素。
方法：使用横断面研究设计，我们采用了混合方法进行数据收集。对于定量家庭调查，共有921名受访者来自奥里萨邦的三个地区。通过焦点小组讨论和深入访谈的定性发现补充了调查结果，并有助于确定影响良好月经习惯的障碍。Epi数据版本2.5和R4.2.2用于数据输入和数据分析，分别。描述性统计用于计算比例，均值和标准差；卡方检验用于测量分类变量之间的关联。进行了双变量和多变量物流分析，以确定健康月经健康和卫生的预测因素。对于定性数据分析，采用Atlas软件进行专题分析。ti8.
结果：对于74.3%的受访者，母亲是信息的主要来源;约61%的受访者使用卫生垫。初潮的平均年龄为12.9岁，几乎46％的受访者在初潮之前没有收到任何有关月经的信息。年龄较低，教育程度高，中学以上水平与月经知识具有统计学上的显着关联。年龄,种姓,受访者的教育，母亲的教育，卫生设施，水的可用性，发现卫生护垫的可及性和可负担性与良好的月经卫生习惯密切相关。
结论：关于月经的传统观念在社区层面仍然存在。教育母亲，提高对安全月经卫生的认识，需要优先注意提供足够的水和卫生设施，并确保适当处置月经产品。
