Publication:

Comparative assessment of menstrual hygiene management practices among urban and rural adolescent girls: a community-based cross sectional study from Maharashtra, India

Background Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is vital for the health of adolescent girls, but practices differ widely between urban and rural areas due to sociocultural, economic, and educational factors. This study compared MHM knowledge, practices, disposal methods, restrictions, and reproductive tract symptoms (RTS) among adolescent girls in urban and rural areas of Maharashtra.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out involving 214 adolescent girls aged 12 to 19 years (107 from each area) in both urban and rural practice fields of a medical college, utilizing a non-probability chain-referral (snowball) sampling method. A validated questionnaire was employed for the survey, which took place over a period of 18 months. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, applying appropriate statistical tests.

Results Mothers were the main source of information in both areas. Urban girls showed higher exclusive use of sanitary pads, while rural girls often combined them with cloth. Urban girls had better genital hygiene and bathing practices (p=0.004; p<0.001), but rural areas had a higher rate of proper menstrual waste disposal (55.7% versus 44.3%, p=0.001). Menstrual restrictions were more common among rural participants (p<0.05). Overall, 51.9% reported at least one reproductive tract symptom, with foul-smelling discharge (p=0.007) and difficulty urinating (p=0.013) more prevalent among urban girls.

Conclusions Substantial urban-rural disparities exist in menstrual hygiene practices, disposal methods, and cultural restrictions. Strengthening school-based education, improving access to affordable sanitary materials, and addressing sociocultural barriers are crucial for improving adolescent menstrual health.