Prevalence and correlates of menstrual hygiene practices among young currently married women aged 15–24 years: an analysis from a nationally representative survey of India

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the prevalence by geographical locations and socio-demographic correlates of menstrual hygienic practices among young currently married Indian women.

Methods

The study is based on secondary data, collected from the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015–16. A total of 94,034 young currently married women aged 15–24 years were utilised in this study. The prevalence of menstrual hygienic practices was portrayed across regions, states, and districts of India. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to assess the factors associated with menstrual hygienic practices.

Results

Nearly half of the women (49.3%) practice hygienic methods to contain menstrual bloodstains. The prevalence of menstrual hygiene practices is lower in low-income states of central and eastern India. Multivariate analyses reveal that education of women and wealth status are found to be the most important positive factors of menstrual hygienic practices. Women’s autonomy and exposure to mass media also have a positive impact on the use of menstrual hygiene practice. In contrast, women residing in rural areas, belonging in scheduled tribes and unemployed women are less likely to use hygienic methods during their menstruation.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest increasing opportunities for female education, providing economic incentives, enhancing women's autonomy could help to increase hygienic practices of women during menstruation period. Furthermore, interventions should target socio-economically disadvantaged women to raise the use of sanitary napkins.

摘要

目的：本文旨在调查根据地理位置和社会人口统计学相关因素调查的印度目前已婚年轻女性的月经卫生习惯。

方法：这项研究基于从2015-16年进行的最新一轮全国家庭健康调查（NFHS-4）收集的二级数据。这项研究总共纳入了94,034名15-24岁的已婚妇女。对印度各个地理区域, 各州和各行政区域的月经卫生习惯流行性进行描述。进行了双因素和多因素分析, 以评估月经卫生习惯的相关因素。

结果：将近一半的女性（49.3％）采用卫生的方法来应对月经出血。在印度中部和东部的低收入州, 有月经卫生习惯的比例较低。多变量分析表明, 妇女的教育和财富状况是月经卫生习惯最重要的积极因素。妇女的自主权和接触大众媒体也对月经卫生习惯的使用产生积极影响。相反, 居住在农村地区, 属于表列部落的妇女和失业妇女在月经期使用卫生方法的可能性较小。

结论：该研究的结果表明：增加女性受教育的机会, 提供经济激励, 增强妇女的自主权可能有助于加强女性在月经期的卫生习惯。此外, 干预措施应针对社会经济上处于弱势的妇女以增加卫生巾的使用。

Keywords:

• Menstrual hygienic practices
• regional variations
• socio-demographic factors
• NFHS-4
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).