Research question: How hygienic are the female population during menstruation?Background: Menstruation is the physiological process, but its physiology and nature are very poorly understood among the female population due to many sociocultural factors which make them to adapt certain practices unknowingly whether it is correct or false. This study was done with the objectives of exploring the menstrual practices followed among urban and rural female population. Materials and Methods: This study was done as a community based -cross-sectional study at the outskirts of Chennai, among the randomly selected females in the reproductive age (15-44) group from both rural and urban fi eld practice areas using questionnaire and interview method. The results were expressed in percentages, and appropriate test of signifi cance was performed. Results: Approximately, a total of 212 from the rural area and 206 from urban slum were randomly selected for the study of which 9% (19) from rural and 5.3% (11) not aware of sanitary pads that can be used during menstruation. Among the study participants, 42.5% (90) of rural and 40.3% (83) of urban were unaware from which organ menstruation is from. The prevalence of better menstrual hygienic practices using the menstrual hygiene index was found to be 63.6% (131) in urban slum and 35% (75) in a rural area which was found to be statistically signifi cant (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study has revealed that most of the females are still unaware menstrual hygienic practices which suggest that appropriate health promotive measures to be implemented for their reproductive well-being. Key words:Knowledge and a itude on menstrual process and practices, menstrual hygiene, menstrual hygiene index, menstrual practices, rural and urban slum, sociocultural restrictions Original Article MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was conducted as a community-based cross-sectional study among women reproductive age group residing in the fi eld practice areas namely Adayalampattu and Parivakkam of ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai in between June and July, 2013. Urban fi eld practice area has approximately Abstract Access this article online Website: www.ijmedph.org

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