Seminar Information
- Seminar Title: ICSSR Sponsored National Seminar on Socio-Economic and Ecological Imbalance in Diversity of North East India: Trends and Prospects.
- Date: 10th and 11th January, 2020.
- Organized By: Department of Anthropology, Subansiri College, P.O. S.K. Adarsha, District Lakhimpur, Assam – 787056.
Paper Details
- Page Number: 83.
- Title: Menstrual Health and Hygienic Practices Among the Ever-Married Kaibarta Mothers of Deodubi Village, Dhemaji District, Assam.
- Author: Jyoti Hazarika.
- Affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University.
Abstract
Menstruation is an inseparable physiological phenomenon of women’s reproductive life. Menstrual disorders are quite common among the gynaecological problems that fraught reproductive health. Lack of sufficient knowledge and unhygienic practice during menstruation leads to multiple health issues that impair women’s health. Thus, it is essential to study the menstrual health and hygienic practices of women to create consciousness among them.
The basic objective of this study was to understand some facets of menstrual health and hygienic practices among the ever-married Kaibarta mothers. Data for this study were collected from 149 ever-married Kaibarta women inhabiting Deodubi village, located under the Bordoloni Block of Dhemaji district, Assam. Structured pre-tested fertility investigation schedules were used to collect data.
Lower abdominal pain during menstruation ($36.25\%$) is the leading menstrual disorder among the respondents. The majority of Kaibarta mothers used old linen/pieces of cloth ($40.27\%$) as an absorbent during their periods, while a good number of mothers ($24.16\%$) did not use any variety of napkins. Quite a few women ($39.60\%$) did not change their napkins and used the same one for the whole day.
Existing traditional and cultural beliefs, attitudes towards menstrual disorders as usual women’s problems, feelings of shyness, the economic background of the family, and the age and educational status of respondents were observed to be the important factors for their disappointing reproductive health status. It is important to provide appropriate information about menstruation and the advantages of using sanitary napkins among the women of reproductive age groups, particularly in rural areas, so that they become aware of it and maintain proper hygienic practices.
- Key Words: Menstruation, Reproductive Health, Hygienic Practices, Kaibarta, Sanitary Napkin.
