Menstrual restrictions among young females in urban slums of Cochin
| Autor: | Devraj Ramakrishnan, Vijayakumar Krishnapillai, Maya Chacko, Charutha Retnakumar, Leyanna Susan George |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health. 7:264 |
| ISSN: | 2394-6040 2394-6032 |
| DOI: | 10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20195864 |
| Popis: | Background: Menstruation is associated with taboos and socio-cultural restrictions. The social and cultural significance of menstruation interacts with the physiological process to produce culturally determined norms and practices. This study was conducted among young females aged 15-35 years from urban slums of Kochi, India. The objective was to assess prevalence, factors, and patterns of restrictions faced by young females during menstruation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 young females in three urban slums of Kochi. A pre-formed pretested questionnaire was used. Data were analysed statistically by simple proportions.Results: Only 8.8% young females felt they had restrictions during menstruation but when asked in detail 88% had socio-religious restrictions. Source for restrictions was traditionally followed patterns 60.8%, patterns taught by elderly mainly mother or mother in law 11.2% and self-imposed restrictions 28%. Reasons for restriction are that 14.4% considered it was good and give rest to the body, 8% women think they are unclean and 57.6% women fear to disobey religious restrictions. 77.6% of Women felt these restrictions are necessary and 40.8% felt restrictions do not need change. Out of 22.4% who felt religious restrictions were unnecessary only 1.6% were affected by religious restrictions.Conclusions: Only a few (8.8%) felt they had restrictions and more than two-third had restrictions (88%) and felt these restrictions are necessary (77.6%). This paper explains restrictions practiced and the origin of such restrictions during menstruation. The key issues identified from the community will be an asset to combat restrictions. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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