Knowledge and practice on menstrual hygiene among nursing students of selected nursing college on Dhaka city in Bangladesh

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene is a crucial aspect of women's health, influencing their well-being, education, and daily activities. The cross-sectional study was conducted assess knowledge and practice on menstrual hygiene among nursing students of selected nursing college on Dhaka City in Bangladesh, Bangladesh with the sample size 311. A pre tested modified interviewer administrated semi structured questionnaires was used to collect the information. The findings indicate that while 58.2% of participants had adequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene, 41.8% demonstrated moderate to inadequate understanding, highlighting the need for improved menstrual education. A significant association (p = 0.000, χ² = 95.71) was found between knowledge and practice levels, with students possessing higher knowledge exhibiting better hygiene behaviors. Although 87.1% of participants used sanitary napkins, a small proportion relied on reusable cloth pads (11.9%), reflecting economic or cultural influences. Proper disposal practices were prevalent among 81.4% of respondents, yet some engaged in environmentally harmful methods, such as flushing pads in toilets (3.9%). While most participants changed their pads every 6 hours (49.2%), a concerning 6.8% did so only once daily, posing potential health risks. Bathing frequency varied, with 10.3% of students not bathing during menstruation, indicating persisting cultural taboos. Menstruation disrupted academic performance for 44.1% of participants, emphasizing the need for institutional support. Knowledge about menstruation before menarche was lacking among 37.3% of students, demonstrating gaps in early education. Overall, these findings highlight the necessity of structured menstrual health programs, improved accessibility to hygiene products, and policy-level interventions to enhance menstrual hygiene management among nursing students.