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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to identify views of Slovenian midwifery students about menstruation. We were interested in whether opinions about menstruation change during the study of midwifery and whether perceptions are affected by a midwifery philosophy that promotes the physiology of female reproduction. We used a descriptive and causal non-experimental empirical method with a literature review of professional and scientific references as a first step. Findings were upgraded with quantitative findings. Descriptive statistics were performed; statistically significant differences were determined by χ2 -test and Kullback 2Î test. A high proportion of respondents reported negative feelings about menarche, however they were currently in general positive towards menstruation; third-year students were more positive than first-year students. Compared with past Slovenian studies, performed in the general population of students, midwifery students show more open attitudes regarding menstruation, which may partially be the result of promoting a physiological view on menstruation and reproduction throughout the study programme. Based on our results we conclude that the socialisation processes that occurs during professional midwifery education should promote and encourage a midwifery model of care which is based on respect for the intricacy of physiology; in this case the menstrual and reproductive cycle. Midwifery study programmes that enable practical training in settings that promote physiological birth promote better midwifery philosophy about the physiology of female reproductive cycles; therefore these students take a more physiological view of menstruation.