目标:主要目标是确定哥印拜陀地区上大学的女性中现代月经法(MMM)使用者的比例,泰米尔纳德邦;并与其他月经卫生方法(MHMs)相比,估计与使用MMM相关的未满足需求。我们还评估了决定大学女性使用MMM的因素。
方法:这是一项描述性的横断面研究,在哥印拜陀地区的上大学的女性中进行,泰米尔纳德邦,印度在2022年10月至2023年1月之间使用预先设计的目的,预先测试,半结构化形式,包括经过验证的月经实践需求量表(MPNS-36)。
结果:只有1.4%的研究参与者使用了MMM-月经杯(1.3%)和卫生棉条(0.1%)。卫生垫是最常见的MHM选择(96.3%);其中大多数(98.6%)使用一次性垫,超过一半(50.4%)使用不可生物降解的垫。重要的是,六分之一(16.5%)的患者不了解所使用的卫生垫(可生物降解或不可生物降解)的性质.与MMM(月经杯和卫生棉条)相关的未满足需求显着低于其他MMM(包括卫生垫),特别是,未满足的物质和家居环境需求,未满足的材料可靠性问题,未满足的重用需求和未满足的重用不安全。然而,我们发现MMM之间没有显着差异,卫生护垫和其他MHMs在未满足的运输方面,大学环境,变化和处置不安全需求。使用MMM的重要预测因素是年龄(超过21岁),住宅(城市),住宿类型(校外包括家庭),社会经济地位(上),父亲和母亲的教育(高中及以上),和个人收入的存在。在月经初潮之前和之后与朋友(或同伴)讨论月经导致更多的现代月经方法采用。
结论:MMM提供了比较优势,对材料可靠性和重用不安全问题的未满足需求较少,尤其是在家庭环境中。然而,没有一个MHM满足了用户对运输和处置不安全问题的期望,尤其是户外。
The primary objectives were to determine the proportion of modern menstrual method (MMM) users among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu; and to estimate the unmet needs associated with use of MMMs in comparison with other menstrual hygiene methods (MHMs). We also assessed the factors that determine MMM use among college going women.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among college going women in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India between October 2022 and January 2023 using a purpose predesigned, pretested, semi-structured proforma that included validated Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36).
Only 1.4% of the study participants used MMMs - menstrual cups (1.3%) and tampons (0.1%). Sanitary pads were the most common MHM of choice (96.3%); of which majority (98.6%) used disposable pads and more than half (50.4%) used non-biodegradable pads. Importantly, one in six (16.5%) were not aware of nature of sanitary pads (biodegradable or nonbiodegradable) used. The unmet needs associated with MMMs (menstrual cups and tampons) were significantly lower than that for other MHMs (including sanitary pads), in particular, the unmet material and home environment needs, unmet material reliability concerns, unmet reuse needs and unmet reuse insecurity. However, we found no significant difference between MMMs, sanitary pads and other MHMs in terms of unmet transport, college environment, change and disposal insecurity needs. The significant predictors of use of MMMs were age (more than 21 years of age), residence (urban), type of stay (off campus including home), socioeconomic status (upper), fathers\' and mothers\' education (high school and above), and presence of personal income. Discussions with friends (or peers) both before and after menarche regarding menstruation resulted in higher adoption of modern menstrual methods.
MMMs provided comparative advantage with lesser unmet needs for material reliability and reuse insecurity concerns, particularly in home environment. However, none of the MHMs fulfilled the user expectations for transport and disposal insecurity concerns, particularly outdoors.