How effective is the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme? An evaluation study from North India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20163077Keywords:
Adolescent health, Menstrual hygiene scheme, Sanitary napkinsAbstract
Background: Menstrual hygiene is not up to the mark for Indian women residing in rural areas. To increase the use of napkins a social marketing scheme was launched. As the program is in preliminary stage of implementation the factors influencing it need to be evaluated. Our study aimed to analyze the influencing factors of this scheme.
Methods: A qualitative study was carried out during 2015 in a village of Northern India. Twenty in-depth interviews were carried out. Study design: It was a cross sectional study.
Results: It was found that 80% women were aware about sanitary napkins. 79% was motivated. Use was only 30%. They perceived that sanitary napkin was beneficial to them. The ASHA workers were disappointed due to fewer margins of profit and irregular supply. The other stakeholders in the community were not actively involved in the implementation of this scheme.
Conclusions: To conclude, there is a huge marketing potential of low cost napkins in rural India. The programme needs actively involvement of various stakeholders and to ensure regular supply of napkins.
References
Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) (cited 2016 May). Available from: http://www.smfconference.com/about-us.php
Nair MKC, Chacko DS, Darwin RM, Padma K, George B, P S R. Menstrual disorders and menstrual hygiene practices in higher secondary school girls. Indian J Pediatr. 2012;79(1):S74-8.
Younis N, Khattab H, Zurayk H, El-Mouelhy M, Amin MF, Farag AM. A community study of gynecological and related morbidities in rural Egypt. Stud Fam Plann. 1993;24:175-86.
Government of India. [cited 2016 May 13]. Available from: http://nrhm.gov.in/ nrhm-components/ rmnch-a/ adolescent-health-rksk/ menstrual-hygienescheme-mhs/background.html
Singh AJ. Place of menstruation in reproductive lives of women of rural North India. Indian J Community Med. 2006;31:10-4.
Dasgupta A, Sarkar M. Menstrual hygiene: How hygienic is the adolescent girl? Indian J Comm Med. 2008;33:77-80.
Ray S, Dasgupta A. Determinants of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls: A multivariate analysis. Nat J Commun Med. 2012;3(2):294-301.
Implementation guide on RCH-II: Adolescent reproductive sexual health strategy. Available from: http://www.mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/Documents/ARSH/Implementation guide on RCH%20II.pdf (Accessed on: March 2016).
A vending machine radicalizes girl’s personal hygiene choices. Available from: http://www. unicef.org/ india/ health_3623. htm. (Accessed on: March 2016).