European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG FEMALE POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS OF KSRDPR UNIVERSITY, GADAG

Dr. Gouri Sakre, Dr. Gulappa Devagappanavar*, Dr. Sandhya K. S., Dr. Archana N. L.*

ABSTRACT

Background: Menstruation is a natural biological process that all adolescent girls and women go through, but it is seldom publicly acknowledged, resulting in unnecessary embarrassment and shame. Post-graduate students and university employees are expected to be well-versed in menstrual hygiene. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to analyze menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among post-graduate students, faculty, and staff members at KSRDPR University in Gadag, India. Materials and Methods: The study took a cross-sectional method. Each study participant received a pre-tested questionnaire in Google format, which was shared via WhatsApp. One hundred sixty-seven female Postgraduate (PG) students, faculty and staff were studied. From October 2020 to February 2021, 108 PG students, faculty and staff members of KSRDPR University answered. The data were entered into an excel spreadsheet, and the findings were expressed as a percentage and frequency. Results: Most of the participants (60.1%) recognize menstruation as a physiological process. Mothers were responsible for 75.9% of women's menstruation habits. 65.7 per cent of women said they were obliged to exercise limits during their menstruation, and 56.4 per cent said the discomfort was their first reaction to menstruation. Eighty-seven per cent of those polled agreed that their periods are regular. Lower abdominal pain is reported by 30.5 per cent of women as one of their premenstrual symptoms. Sanitary napkins are used by 83.3 per cent of women as a menstruation absorbent material, whereas cloth is used by 8.3 per cent. 41.6 per cent of women change their menstrual absorbent every fourth hour throughout the first two days of menstruation. During their menstruation, 68.5 per cent of women wash their vaginal fourth hourly. The menstrual absorbent was disposed of in the dustbin by 70.3 per cent of participants, whereas 22.2 per cent burned the absorbent. Conclusion: Post graduate students and staff need to be educated on menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and the proper disposal of menstrual absorbents used.

Keywords: Menstrual hygiene; Attitudes; Practices; University staff; Post graduate students; Karnataka.