A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Awareness Program on Usage of Menstrual Cups in Maintenance of Menstrual Health and Hygiene among Girls in Selected Degree Colleges at Mysuru

Abstract

Introduction: A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene device that is inserted into the vagina during menstrual flow; menstrual cups are usually made of flexible medical-grade silicone, latex or a thermoplastic isomer. They are shaped like a bell with a stem as a ring. The stem is used for insertion and removal, and the bell-shaped cup seals against the vagina wall just below the cervix and collects menstrual fluid. This is unlike tampons and menstrual pads, which absorb the fluid instead. In India, 36% of women undergoing menstruation use disposable sanitary napkins every cycle, and on average, they use eight pads per cycle. This translates into a total waste of 12.3 billion disposable. Menstrual cups are made up of silicone /medical-grade material and need to be inserted into the vagina. Compared to sanitary napkins, MCs are eco–friendly, reusable, and durable, significantly reducing the cost one has to bear during the menstrual period; studies suggest that when used properly, the leakage rate is the same for both. However, one study indicates that MCs leak significantly less. Methodology: The data was generated using a structured questionnaire. A purposive non-probability sampling technique was adopted to select 60 samples. The data obtained from the study subjects were analyzed and interpreted in terms of the objectives and hypothesis of the study. Results: The study revealed that only 62.2% of college students with degrees had average knowledge regarding using menstrual cups to maintain menstrual health and hygiene. There is no statistically significant association between the knowledge of degree students of menstrual cup usage and their selected personal variables except for age. Discussion: Study findings highlighted that the knowledge of degree students regarding the usage of menstrual cups needed to be improved. Also, the findings emphasize the need for educational strategies to enhance students' understanding of degrees.