Publication:

Addressing the debate of menstrual leave-understanding the relationship between attitude towards menstruation and perception towards menstrual leave among undergraduates in a medical college in Kerala

Background The debate on menstrual leaves has evolved into a polarizing discourse. It critiques gender equity, workplace politics and the position of women in academic and professional spaces. It also interweaves the religious, social and political norms surrounding menstruation. This study addresses the views on menstruation and menstrual leaves among female medical undergraduates whose attitudes strike a balance between their sound medical knowledge and the prevailing societal norms.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using the 4th edition protocol of Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) and items assessing awareness, utilization and support for menstrual leave. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables and analysis between variables was done using the chi-square test.

Results 54.5% of female students perceived menstruation to be a debilitating event, 43.2% agreed menstruation to be a Bothersome event and 66.45% perceived menstruation as a natural event. Although 51.4% of females reported having not taken leave during menstruation, a substantial majority (89.1%) believed women should be entitled to menstrual leaves. The debilitating and bothersome aspects of menstruation contributed to women taking leave during menstruation, with the debilitating nature of menstruation being associated with supporting the provision of menstrual leaves. There was a positive association between having taken leave during menstruation and supporting the provision of menstrual leaves.

Conclusions The findings indicate that perception of menstruation as debilitating and bothersome event strongly influence the support for the provision of menstrual leaves. This advocates the need for policies that are both evidence based and empathetic.