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Menstrual Hygienic Disparity in India: An Inter-State Analysis Using NFHS-5 Indicators

Megha Jacob (Department of Economics, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, India)

Japjot Kaur Saggu (Department of Economics, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, India)

Indian Families: Contemporary Family Structures and Dynamics

ISBN: 978-1-83797-596-9, eISBN: 978-1-83797-595-2

Publication date: 21 June 2024

Abstract

Menstrual hygienic practices are an essential component in public health that significantly impact and, in turn, are affected by the economic and social status of women. This study aims to investigate the usage of hygienic menstrual products among young girls and women between the age group of 15 and 24 years. It also tries to explore various other socio-economic factors including regional disparities in menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices. To analyze the relationship between these factors, a bivariate statistical analysis has been carried out. The results are based on a secondary dataset, that is, the National Family Health Survey, Fifth Round (NFHS-5), 2019–2021 for India. This study further examines the regional disparities across India, in terms of hygienic practices adopted by women to ensure menstrual health. The results show that there exists a positive relationship between hygienic methods of protection against bloodstains and the socio-economic status of women. This has been analyzed across four dimensions – educational attainment, access to sanitation, financial autonomy and exposure to mass media/mobile phones. A stark urban–rural gap has been observed in terms of the MHM practices in Western and Central Indian states. Therefore, enhancing the economic and social status of rural women requires a more holistic approach toward elevating MHM practices in these regions. The de-stigmatization of menstruation and greater involvement of men in doing so would prove to be pivotal. To accelerate the level of hygienic menstrual practices among rural women in these regions, existing policies need to focus on educational, financial and various other health-related aspects as means to reduce the rural–urban divide in India.

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Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

We express due acknowledgment to Vaishnavi Iyer, Young Professional at NITI AAYOG, for her guidance and support during the initial stage of this work.

Citation

Jacob, M. and Saggu, J.K. (2024), "Menstrual Hygienic Disparity in India: An Inter-State Analysis Using NFHS-5 Indicators", Chandra, V. and Blair, S.L. (Ed.) Indian Families: Contemporary Family Structures and Dynamics (Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research, Vol. 26), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 77-95. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1530-353520240000026005

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited