Socio-cultural Beliefs and Menstrual Health among the Women in Sanfebagar Municipality

Abstract

This study aims to examine the socio-cultural beliefs and menstrual health among the women of Sanfebagar Municipality. This study followed a sequential explanatory research design. Out of 3948 total, 241 women were taken for this study using random sampling method. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and guideline Indepth interview was used to collect qualitative data. The study found that the majority of the population belonged to chhetri (81.3%), 15-25 ages group and having secondary level education. Most women were known that menstruation is the natural phenomenon. The common practices were; not allowing entering temples and keeping women at a separate room during their menstruation period. Most (56.6%) were compelled to follow the practices due to family and society pressure and fear of God. Majority of the women used old pieces of clothes instead of sanitary pad changing on daily basis however only some of them used sanitary pad. Also, the materials used for cleaning were soap and water by (15 percent), 66% responders were treated as untouchable during period. Women were not allowed to pray or worship at temples (100%). In terms of data illiterate women ate normally daily food (94.7%). The respondents’ taking bath during menstruation period was found satisfactory. As this study shows that the (2.9%) respondents having basic education faced different accidents, likewise, (3.3%) of the respondents having secondary education had such accidents, mostly (80%) snake bite incident and majority of the respondents (59.3%) perceived benefits. However menstruation related problems were the major obstacles. Practices were affected by traditional, social and ritual myths of society which affect women/girls. Therefore, respondents were showing negative behaviors related to menstruation. In general respondents’ level of perception risk was low, which should be wiped out through various interventions and awareness programs.