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Tulane University

Publication Date

Spring 2015

Program Name

India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community

Abstract

Introduction: Menstruation is integral to puberty and maturation of adolescent girls. Education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene effects a woman’s physical and psychosocial health through the majority of her life.

Purpose: This study seeks to answer the following questions: Who is providing information to girls before or after their first menstruation? Is this information timely, appropriate and accurate? Is the information effective enough to see changes in menstrual practices through a family and community? In answering these questions, the study attempts to determine the pathways of communications regarding menstruation and menstrual health in the Jamkhed area of the Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, India.

Methodology: Semi-constructed interviews were conducted with 3 Village Health Workers from Comprehensive Rural Health Project, 1 Village Health Worker trainer, 2 government-employed nurses, 3 ASHA, and 11 rural village women. A pre-designed guideline of questions was used, but interview continued in a conversational manner.

Results:

Conclusions: In project villages, young women were more aware of and more informed about menstruation as compared to women in non-project villages. Village health workers had more success in educating all ages of women while ASHA and government-employed nurses struggled to educate older generations. There was a varying degree of superstitions surrounding menstruation in non-project villages.

Disciplines

African Studies | Community-Based Research | Health Communication | Health Services Research | Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion | Women's Health | Women's Studies

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