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Unmet need, Practice, Perception, and Predictors of Menstrual Cup use Among Medical and Paramedical Students and
Surama Manjari Behera1, Priyamadhaba Behera2, Venkatarao Epari1
1Department of Community Medicine, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Background:
Menstrual cups (MCs) are cost-effective, sustainable, and safe alternatives, yet less popular than sanitary pads. This study estimated unmet need, prevalence, and factors associated with MC use in diverse settings.
Methods:
The study was conducted in a medical college in eastern India. All female medical and paramedical students and staff aged between 18 and 45 years were included in the study. Unmet need was defined as females who are willing to use MCs but do not currently use them. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to find the factors associated with MC use. In the adjusted logistic regression models, individual characteristics, family-level factors, and social/environmental factors were included as independent variables.
Results:
Of 538 participants, 339 intend to use a MC; however, only 15 currently use one. The prevalence of MC use was 2.79% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57%-4.56%], while the unmet need was 95.58% [95% CI: 92.81%-97.50%]. Having good knowledge of MCs was significantly associated with their use compared to those with poor or average knowledge [adjusted odds ratio 10.81, 95% CI: 3.04-38.49]. Mother's education was significant in bivariate analysis [odds ratio 4.17 (95% CI 1.09-15.95)]; however, it was not significant in the adjusted logistic regression model.
Conclusion:
MC use among participants was very low despite a high level of expressed intent, indicating a substantial unmet need. Improved knowledge was strongly associated with use, suggesting that targeted awareness and educational interventions may help bridge the gap between intention and adoption of MCs.