Report on Rural Menstrual Hygiene Management in Villipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India

Auroville Village Action Group, Auroville (2011) Report on Rural Menstrual Hygiene Management in Villipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. Project Report. Auroville Village Action Group.

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Abstract

A study was conducted with 300 women in 2 blocks of Villipuram district, rural Tamil Nadu to better understand the interplay of factors (socio-economic, educational, cultural, environmental,)that determine a rural Indian woman's menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices. The survey identified a general lack of information available to women about menstruation, and limited options for alleviating their menstrual discomfort. Nearly all women (95%) experience some lifestyle restriction associated with menstruation with the belief in impurity and being polluted as the most commonly identified reason for these restrictions.The extent, to which a woman is influenced by beliefs that result in lifestyle restrictions, is most strongly correlated with her level of education. The survey revealed that choice of products used to manage menstruation (either cloth or disposable pad) is mostly influenced by cost factors, comfort and habit as well as cultural restrictions and beliefs. Women are largely not aware of the environmental impact in product choice. Implications for the future of Menstrual Hygiene Management for Tamil Nadu which can have relevance for India are noted at the end of this report.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Subjects:	Health > Health (General) Rural Development > Auroville Bioregion
Depositing User:	Admin User
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2020 06:25
Last Modified:	17 May 2021 15:56
URI:	http://aurorepo.in/id/eprint/63

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