Table 2 Information and restrictions during menstruation
Category | Sub category | Total (n = 921) |
|---|---|---|
Cause of Menstruation | ||
Normal physiological process | 684 (74.3%) | |
Caused by disease | 36 (3.9%) | |
Curse of God | 62 (6.7%) | |
Don’t know | 133 (14.4%) | |
Others | 6 (0.7%) | |
Source of Information | ||
Mother | 684 (74.3%) | |
Sister | 43 (4.7%) | |
Other family member/relative | 82 (8.9%) | |
Friends | 72 (7.8%) | |
School teachers | 39 (4.2%) | |
FHW | 1 (0.1%) | |
Menstruation is a secret | ||
No | 753 (81.8%) | |
Yes | 168 (18.2%) | |
Reason (n = 168) | ||
It’s personal/Normal | 30 (17.9%) | |
Religion | 3 (1.8%) | |
Shyness | 123 (73.2%) | |
Stigma | 12 (7.1%) | |
Knowledge about Menarche | ||
No | 432 (46.9%) | |
Yes | 489 (53.1%) | |
Reaction to first menstruation | ||
Scared | 619 (67.2%) | |
Embarrassed | 180 (19.5%) | |
Guilty | 31 (3.4%) | |
No reaction | 91 (9.9%) | |
Reaction to not getting periods on time | ||
Relieved/ Happy | 64 (6.9%) | |
Scared | 65 (7.1%) | |
Worried | 345 (37.5%) | |
Has never happened | 204 (22.1%) | |
No reaction | 243 (26.4%) | |
Experience of Periods | ||
Normal | 577 (62.6%) | |
Experience mild symptoms | 270 (29.3%) | |
Experience severe symptoms | 58 (6.3%) | |
Severe bleeding/Unusual discharge | 16 (1.7%) | |
Seeking care during Periods (n = 344) | ||
Didn’t do anything | 205 (59.6%) | |
Did home remedies | 31 (9.0%) | |
Consulted ASHA/Doctor | 64 (18.6%) | |
Discussed with mother | 43 (12.5%) | |
Others | 1 (0.3%) | |
Restrictions during Periods | ||
Not go to certain places | 133 (14.4%) | |
Not allowed to touch certain things | 271 (29.4%) | |
Avoid certain food | 69 (7.5%) | |
Not allowed to cook | 299 (32.5%) | |
Not allowed to go out | 113 (12.3%) | |
Not allowed to attend religious activities | 588 (63.8%) | |
Not allowed to sleep with other family members | 258 (28.0%) | |
Access to sanitary pads in your locality | ||
No | 167 (18.1%) | |
Yes | 754 (81.9%) | |
Able to afford sanitary pads | ||
No | 341 (37%) | |
Yes | 580 (63%) | |