The Relationship between Menstrual Health Behaviours and Self-Efficacy among Rural Women in Mangalore, India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Background aim: Menstruation, a physiological process in women, requires proper hygiene to prevent health risks. Lack of knowledge and cultural taboos can lead to unsafe behaviours, potentially affecting women’s well-being. This study aimed to determine the relationship between menstrual health behaviours and self-efficacy among Rural Women in Mangalore.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 275 females aged 15-49 years in the rural area of Mangalore taluk, India from October 2022 to July 2023. Data on menstrual practices and self-efficacy was collected using Menstrual Practice Questionnaire (MPQ) and Self Efficacy in Addressing Menstrual Needs Scale (SAMNS-26). Convenient sampling was used to select the village and systematic sampling was used to select the households. The data was analysed through EpiData Manager V 4.6.0.6 and STATA version 14. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were used. Results: Around 20% of the women relied on cloth for menstrual protection, while 80% used disposable sanitary pads. 44.4% of participants flushed their menstrual materials after using them. Almost 40% of participants expressed privacy concerns about the disposal of menstrual waste. The women’s maximum and minimum self-efficacy scores were 58.24 ± 17.03, respectively. Regression analysis showed significant relationships between self-efficacy and location for drying menstruation fabric as well as occupation (p 0.05).Conclusion: This study highlights a lack of good menstrual hygiene practices among women, alongside persistent practices that adversely affect women’s confidence during menstruation. A necessary program to raise awareness about their menstruation practice should be designed.