ATTITUDES TOWARDS MENSTRUATION AMONG YOUNG WOMEN

Objective: To determine knowledge and different attitudes towards menstruation among young women. Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out at Isra University Hyderabad and villages around the Isra University Hospital, from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006. Five hundred women from villages around Isra University Hospital and students of Isra University Hyderabad were selected by non-probability sampling who were of menstruating age irrespective of their marital and literacy status. Women with menstrual irregularities or any other gynecological or psychological problem were excluded. All information was recorded on a questionnaire Performa and analyzed on SPSS version 15.0. Results: Out of 500 participants, 438 (87.6%) regarded menstruation as a natural process; whereas, 62 (12.4%) perceived it as a disease and curse from God. Out of 500, 415 (83%) of the participants responded that the menstruation process is good for health; however, 85 (17%) felt this process not healthy for themselves. Conclusion: Ignorance, false perceptions and unsafe practices regarding menstruation are not uncommon among young women, hence the importance of health education particularly of women living in rural areas. Then they will be better prepared emotionally to experience menstruation and will have less negative reactions.