Menstrual Health and Hygiene- Study of Knowledge Attitudes and Practices of Obgyns on Usage of Menstrual Cups

Abstract

BACKGROUNDMeagre data exists as to whether health care professionals consider and advocate menstrual cups as a safe and feasible alternative to the generally used methods of menstruation management. The attitudes and practice among girls and women with respect to usage of menstrual cups is also not known. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices of menstrual cup and its recommended usage from the health care providers dealing with young girls and women. METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 163 obstetricians and gynaecologists in the public and private practice in Bangalore, India. RESULTS93% of the health care providers think that menstrual cups are more environment friendly than sanitary pads. We found that only 59% think that they are the way forward for better menstrual hygiene management. Only 57% of the health care providers actually advised young girls on the usage of menstrual cups. Though fifty percent of the health care providers think that it is appropriate to advice menstrual cups to young girls, only 35% pro-actively advocate menstrual cups to young girls irrespective of their sexual activity. Most of the users had the internet and peer group as their source of information, rather than the healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONSThese results call for better awareness amongst healthcare providers on advocacy of eco-friendly measures to promote menstrual health and hygiene.

Exploring Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Awareness of Menstrual Cups Among Nursing Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Based on the study by Divakar et al [ 18 ], assuming 56% of the respondents would feel the menstrual cup is a better alternative, with 20% relative precision and 5% alpha error, the sample size was estimated to be 76. Considering the sensitive issue and non-response rate of 25%, a total of 101 participants were recruited.…”

“…Based on the study by Divakar et al [18], assuming 56% of the respondents would feel the menstrual cup is a better alternative, with 20% relative precision and 5% alpha error, the sample size was estimated to be 76.…”

Effectiveness of structured teaching programme regarding knowledge about uses of menstrual cup among nursing students

“…Pads and tampons are mostly made of synthetic material like rayon, it's effects have on the human body are much more severe than just superficial irritation and allergy. 2,3 Socio-culturally based research study find different myths and misconceptions related to menstruation. 4 In lower and middle-income countries, because of social issues and lack of guidance maximum of the girls experience fear, confusion, shame, and discomfort while they try to be habitual to their monthly period.…”

“…Approximately, 43% to 88% of the women still wash their cotton cloths and reuse them instead of using disposable pads. 6 Sanitary pads and napkins are the most common practices, but they require hygienic practices; otherwise, they may cause the highest risk of reproductive tract infections among girls. The girl's stigma related to menstruation is quite worrying but by providing proper menstrual hygiene knowledge stigma will gradually reduce.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding menstrual cup among reproductive women in a rural tertiary care Hospital

“…It is also reported that in India, 62% of the young women in the age group of 15 years to 24 years still use clothes for their menstrual protection. Approximately, 43% to 88% of the women still wash their cotton cloths and reuse them instead of using disposable pads [3] . In rural areas maintenance of menstrual hygiene is, therefore, is an important yet unrecognized issue.…”