A Descriptive Study On Menstrual Hygiene Practices And Social Stigma Among Married Women

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene is an unexplored but very important areas in the discourse of public health, especially in socio-culturally
diverse environments that involve married women as the subjects of discussion. In this paper, the researcher will examine the
practice of menstrual hygiene and the magnitude of social stigmas among married women with the focus being on the behavioural
patterns and awareness and accessibility of sanitary products and social-cultural constraints. The structured questionnaires that
were used to collect the data were structured according to a descriptive cross-sectional design using structured questionnaires
that were given to 300 married women aged between 18-49 years. The hygiene practices evaluated during the study are the
nature of the absorbent being used, the rate at which the materials are changed, how the material and personal hygiene practices
are disposed of. Meanwhile, it also examines such factors as menstrual restrictions, communication barriers, and perceptions of
impurity that are related to stigmas. Results of the statistical analysis show that menstrual hygiene practice, education, and
income level have significant associations. Results suggest that although the level of awareness has improved, traditional beliefs
and stigma have not disappeared, and affect hygiene behaviour and psychosocial well-being. The study notes that hygiene
management as well as the deep-rooted stigma requires specific intervention, including awareness at the policy level.