Unveiling Urban Realities: A Holistic Study of Menstrual Health in Young Girls

Sithal Dalai; D Shobha Malini; Dhaneswari Jena

Sithal Dalai Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, India.
D Shobha Malini Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Jajati Keshari Medical College & Hospital (JKMCH), Jajpur, India.
Dhaneswari Jena Maharaja Krushna Chandra Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.

Keywords: Menstrual Health, Urban Women, Government Initiatives, Qualitative Methods, Menstrual Practices, Menstruation Knowledge, Prevalent Beliefs, Menarche, Psycho-Social Aspects

Abstract

Introduction: This study explores menstrual health among urban women aged 10–25 years, focusing on their health status, practices, and beliefs. It examines the influence of urbanisation and recent government initiatives on menstrual health practices, highlighting the evolving dynamics due to lifestyle changes and increased social media exposure.
Method:The study employed qualitative methods, including interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), to gain in-depth insights into participants’ experiences and perceptions. Grounded theory and inductive coding were used to analyse the data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Results:The findings revealed positive shifts, such as reduced restrictions on menstruating individuals, better access to affordable hygiene products, and improved disposal services due to municipal garbage collection. Government initiatives, like distributing menstrual products in schools and enhancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, have significantly impacted menstrual health practices.
Conclusion:Despite improvements, there are gaps in basic menstrual knowledge, hygienic practices, and effective communication with schoolteachers or healthcare workers. Compliance with government programmes promoting weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and biannual albendazole intake remains low, indicating a need for enhanced educational and support measures.

How to cite this article:
Dalai S, Malini D S, Jena D. Unveiling Urban
Realities: A Holistic Study of Menstrual
Health in Young Girls. Ind J Youth Adol Health.
2023;10(4):20-27.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2349.2880.202313

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