抄録
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is important for the health and well-being of women and girls. In low- and middle-income countries, females face challenges with MHM due to a lack of knowledge and education on MHM, unavailability of menstrual products, and poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Poor MHM has negative impacts on both the health of females and the environment. This study aimed to examine women’s menstrual status and identify existing problems related to MHM, such as the use and disposal of menstrual materials, in an urban slum of Indonesia. We conducted a survey using a questionnaire to interview 32 adult women living in a densely populated area of Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The questionnaire included both demographic information and 19 items related to MHM. Regarding physical health aspects, the majority of participants had a normal menstrual cycle and bleeding duration. Disposable sanitary napkins were preferred products for collecting menstrual blood, although some women reported that they were expensive. However, the daily frequency of changing menstrual products was low, and there was a risk of infectious diseases and other health problems. Regarding the disposal of used napkins, a few women removed some parts of the napkins and threw them into a toilet, which probably has negative impacts on sanitation facilities and the environment. In addition, all participants washed their used napkins with water before disposing them. This study showed that participants’ menstrual status was good, but there were problems related to the use and disposal of napkins. An immediate solution for poor MHM in terms of women’s future reproductive health and environmental protection is needed.
