Determinants of menstrual hygiene practices among tribal young women in India: evidence from NFHS-5
1
Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India, New Delhi, India
2
IMPACT Global Consulting, New Delhi, India
3
The George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The onset of menstruation is one of the most significant changes that young girls experience during their adolescent years. Menstrual hygiene practices among young women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India has been a major concern. Due to lot of misconception and taboo associated with menstruation. Young women face various gynaecological issues as a result of poor menstrual hygiene particularly in tribals. The objective of the present study is to provide evidence from a national-representative survey on regional variations in the prevalence of menstrual hygiene practices among tribal young women and its socio-demographic correlates in India.
METHODS:
We included 44,392 tribal young women participants aged 15 to 24 years from National Family Health Survey 5 conducted during 2019-21. Descriptive statistics were used to compute the prevalence menstrual hygiene practice along with 95% confidence interval (CI)as a measure of uncertainty. The association between various socio-demographic predictors and menstrual hygiene were assessed by multivariable logistic regression and presented as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR).
RESULTS:
The prevalence of menstrual hygiene practice was 65.3% in the tribal young women. 60.5% of participants were using cloth whereas 52.7% tribal young women use sanitary napkins for menstrual hygiene. Age, place of residence, marital status, level of education, household economic status, and media access were significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practises. Madhya Pradesh had the lowest prevalence (41.2%) of menstrual hygiene practice, whereas most of the southern, north-eastern and northern Indian states have the prevalence above 80%.
CONCLUSIONS:
Significantly lower prevalence of menstrual hygiene practice among the tribal young women was seen in this study. Ensuring that young tribal women have access to hygienic menstrual methods is crucial for public health and allowing them to reach their full potential. Specific national program to improve menstrual hygiene is necessary and need of the hour.
The onset of menstruation is one of the most significant changes that young girls experience during their adolescent years. Menstrual hygiene practices among young women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India has been a major concern. Due to lot of misconception and taboo associated with menstruation. Young women face various gynaecological issues as a result of poor menstrual hygiene particularly in tribals. The objective of the present study is to provide evidence from a national-representative survey on regional variations in the prevalence of menstrual hygiene practices among tribal young women and its socio-demographic correlates in India.
METHODS:
We included 44,392 tribal young women participants aged 15 to 24 years from National Family Health Survey 5 conducted during 2019-21. Descriptive statistics were used to compute the prevalence menstrual hygiene practice along with 95% confidence interval (CI)as a measure of uncertainty. The association between various socio-demographic predictors and menstrual hygiene were assessed by multivariable logistic regression and presented as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR).
RESULTS:
The prevalence of menstrual hygiene practice was 65.3% in the tribal young women. 60.5% of participants were using cloth whereas 52.7% tribal young women use sanitary napkins for menstrual hygiene. Age, place of residence, marital status, level of education, household economic status, and media access were significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practises. Madhya Pradesh had the lowest prevalence (41.2%) of menstrual hygiene practice, whereas most of the southern, north-eastern and northern Indian states have the prevalence above 80%.
CONCLUSIONS:
Significantly lower prevalence of menstrual hygiene practice among the tribal young women was seen in this study. Ensuring that young tribal women have access to hygienic menstrual methods is crucial for public health and allowing them to reach their full potential. Specific national program to improve menstrual hygiene is necessary and need of the hour.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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