Menstrual hygiene practices, determinants, and association with reproductive tract infection in India

A large repeated cross-sectional analysis (2015–2021)

Bibliographic Data

ID21342800
AuthorsMrunali Zode (0009-0006-1469-9547, Public Health Foundation of India), Baani Sodhi (0000-0003-2860-0115, Public Health Foundation of India), Saurav Basu (0000-0003-1336-8720, Public Health Foundation of India, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume57
Issue3
Pages385-399
Publication date2025-05-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932025000252
PMID40336253
OpenAlexW4410187903
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited22

The promotion of menstrual health and hygiene globally, especially in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), is a major public health imperative. The primary study objective was to ascertain the change in the patterns of menstrual hygiene practices and their sociodemographic determinants amongst adolescent girls and young women in India. The present study analyses data from the Indian National Family and Health Survey (NFHS), round 4 (2015–2016) and round 5 (2019–21). Women in the age group 15–24 years (n = 241,180) were interviewed regarding their menstrual hygiene practices. The proportion of women using sanitary napkins as absorbent during menstruation increased from 41.8% (NFHS-4) to 64.1% (NFHS-5), with more than six in ten adolescent girls and young women in India using sanitary pads during menses, although the socioeconomically vulnerable more likely to lack access. The higher age group (20–24 years), rural residence, lower wealth quintile, absence of schooling, absence of flush toilets, and lack of exposure to media were factors that were independently associated with the use of cloth as menstrual absorbent. Vaginal discharge was reportedly higher among women using unhygienic products, however, on adjusted analyses, no statistically significant association was observed with the type of absorbent used. The transition from cloth to sanitary pads has nearly doubled on average in the states implementing free and subsidised government pad distribution schemes during the same period

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Hygiene · Menstruation · Population · Public health · Reproductive health · Residence · Demography · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Nursing · Reproductive Health and Contraception

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