Publication:

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding menstrual cup among adolescent girls in Savadatti taluka, Belagavi district, Karnataka

Background Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a vital component of adolescent health. Despite being safe, reusable, and eco-friendly, menstrual cups are underutilized in India due to cultural taboos and lack of awareness. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding menstrual cup use among adolescent girls.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2025 among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years from 10 schools and 5 colleges, selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests.

Results Among 426 participants, 43.9% were aware of menstrual cups, yet only 21.1% had adequate knowledge and 9.2% reported use. Positive attitudes were observed in 43.7%. Social media and the internet were the most common sources of information (39.6%), followed by family/friends (24.1%), healthcare professionals (18.7%), teachers (10.2%), and advertisements (7.5%). Knowledge was significantly associated with age, residence, and family income (p<0.05), while attitudes correlated with educational status and income. Fear of insertion was a major barrier to use menstrual cups among 60.4% participants. A strong positive association was observed between knowledge and attitude toward menstrual cups (p<0.001).

Conclusions Although awareness and attitudes toward menstrual cups are improving, actual use remains limited. Strengthening school-based menstrual education and improving access to accurate information are essential to enhance adoption and promote sustainable menstrual hygiene among adolescents.