Religious restrictions and cultural taboos related to menstruation in adolescent girls: A school-based cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Introduction: The period of adolescence needs special attention because of the turmoil an adolescent faces at different stages of development, different circumstances and needs, and diverse problems. In India, there are multiple restrictions and taboos related to menstruation. In many communities, the mention of the topic is taboo even today. Objective: To evaluate the religious restrictions and other taboos practiced during menstruation by adolescent school girls. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conductedin four schools. Girls in the age group of 13-18 years, who have attained menarche and gave verbal consent to participate, were included in the study. A pre-designed, validated questionnaire that captured information on the cultural taboos practiced during menstruation was administered to the participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 15 and the percentage of menstral taboos that were practiced on average was determined. Factor analysis was done to determine the most practiced taboo. Results: A total of 1522 adolescent girls participated in the study. The average age of attaining menarche was 13.08±3.5 years. 81.2% (n=1236) of the participants, predominantly from the Hindu community, did not attend religious functions during menstruation. More than half of them (56.6%) did not sleep in their usual place during menstruation. 40.1% of them (n=611) were not allowed to enter the kitchen. 69.3% (n=1054) of the participants had restrictions on certain food items. Only 5.4% (n=82) of them did not go to school during menstruation. Factor analysis showed that the two most important factors contributing to the taboos were restrictions on religious functions and on sleeping in the same place. Menstrual taboos were prevalent more in younger and less-educated girls (p=0.037 and 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: Restrictions during menstruation are still prevalent in many communities. The two most important cultural taboos are sleep restrictions and religious restrictions. Cultural taboos are prevalent more among less-educated and younger adolescent girls.

‘We do not know’: a qualitative study exploring boys perceptions of menstruation in India

“…In countries such as India where the present study is set, cultural and societal taboos surrounding menstruation place restrictive practices upon menstruating females, compounding the difficulties faced by girls and widening the gender disparity further. Such taboos include restrictions in their diet, participation in cooking and visiting places of worship or involvement with social activities, as well as having to sleep or sit separately from the rest of the household [ 3 , 6 , 7 ] . In some settings, menstruating girls and women are considered unclean and untouchable during menstruation [ 2 ].…”

Menstrual Kanamaya Yönelik Algı ve Tutumların Kadın Sağlığına Etkisi

“…Although negative beliefs about menstrual bleeding, which were frequently encountered in past cultures, are decreasing today, it is seen that negative attitudes continue in the perspectives of both genders (Tan et al, 2017). In many cultures, menstrual bleeding is seen as impurity and the menstrual cycle is thought to be a purification process that cleans the female body (Varghese et al, 2015). It is known that in underdeveloped countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, girls and women who menstruate are often kept in separate huts and are forced into social isolation.…”

Knowledge, Product Choices and Waste Disposal Techniques Regarding Menstruation among Girl Students of Amritsar City

“…worshiping, participating in social activities and they also have to sit or sleep separately. Girls/women are considered impure and untouchable on their periods [3], [4]. Moreover, there are many taboos related to menstrual blood which makes washing and drying of used menstrual clothes an embarrassing task.…”