Use of Hygienic Menstrual Materials

Output

Outcome

% of women and girls of reproductive age who used hygienic menstrual materials during their last menstrual period

Using hygienic menstrual materials - such as clean reusable cloth, commercial pads, tampons, or menstrual cups - is a foundational component of menstrual health and hygiene. The use of such materials reflects the ability to manage menstruation safely, with dignity and comfort.

Collect the following data by conducting individual interviews with a representative sample of women and girls of reproductive age:

 

RECOMMENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS (Q) AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS (A)

Q1: Have you had a menstrual period in the last three months?

A1: yes / no / no response

(ask the following question only if the previous answer is YES)

Q2: The last time you had your period, what did you use most of the time to manage the bleeding?

A2:

1) Cloth (washed and reused)

2) Reusable sanitary pads

3) Disposable sanitary pads

4) Tampons

5) Menstrual cup

6) Toilet paper

7) Underwear alone

8) Other - specify: ................................

9) No response

Determine which materials can count as hygienic menstrual materials in the context of your intervention.

• Count as hygienic: cloth (only if properly washed and dried), reusable sanitary pads, disposable sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups.

• Do not count as hygienic: toilet paper/tissue, underwear alone, old rags or cloth not safely washed and dried, paper, cotton wool, plastic, or any other improvised materials that are not absorbent or safe.

To calculate the indicator's value, divide the number of respondents that used hygienic menstrual materials during their last period by the total number of respondents who had a menstrual period in the last three months (exclude those who refused to response). Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage. 

Disaggregate the data by age groups, geographic location (urban/rural), and household's socio-economic status (where feasible).

1) Questions on menstruation are sensitive. Ensure data collectors (preferably female) are trained and interviews are conducted privately. Informed consent and reassurance of confidentiality are essential.

2) Women and girls may over-report the use of more socially acceptable products (e.g., pads) and under-report improvised materials. Enumerators should be trained to ask in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner.

3) In some contexts, cloth may be hygienic if washed with soap and water and dried in sunlight, but unhygienic if reused damp or not clean. Define the criteria clearly before data collection.

4) Asking about the “last menstrual period” reduces recall bias, but some respondents (e.g., pregnant, breastfeeding, post-menopausal) will not have menstruated recently and should be excluded from the denominator.