Exploring the Factors Associated with Exclusive Use of Hygienic Methods during Menstruation among Reproductive Age Women: Evidence from Nepal Demographic Health Survey-2022

Pradeep Kumar, Independent Researcher
Nihal Hasan, Independent Researcher
Rahul Rajak, Assistant Professor

Objective: Exclusive use of hygienic methods during menstruation has not received adequate attention in Nepal, with limited research utilizing nationally representative data. Therefore, this study explored the prevalence and factors influencing exclusive hygienic menstrual practices among women of reproductive age in Nepal. Methods: This analysis included a total of 13,066 reproductive age women from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS-2022). A binary logistic regression model was applied to identify significant factors of exclusive use of hygienic methods among women in Nepal. Results: Only 48% of Nepalese women aged 15- 49 years used exclusively hygienic methods to prevent bloodstains during menstruation. The results of the multivariate model revealed that young women aged 15-24 (AOR=2.51, p<0.001), women with 10 year and above education (AOR=1.98, p<0.001), from richest wealth quintile (AOR=2.16, p<0.001), never married women (AOR=1.44, p<0.001), owned a smart phone (AOR=1.41, p<0.001) and women with exposure to mass media at least once a week (AOR=1.36, p<0.001) are more likely to use hygienic methods as compared with their counterparts. Conclusions: The findings suggest the need for multidimensional interventions and educational programs targeting socioeconomically vulnerable women to address unhygienic menstrual practices.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Data visualisation , Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

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