Knowledge, Acceptability and Misconceptions Regarding Menstrual Cup among College Students of Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Menstrual cup is a good, safe, hygienic, eco-friendly and economical option for menstrual managementthan other menstrual products. The present study aims to find knowledge, acceptability, and misconceptions ofmenstrual cup among female college students in Kerala.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 participants studying in Engineeringor Arts College of Ernakulam district using consecutive sampling technique. A semi-structured expert validatedquestionnaire containing socio-demographic details and questions regarding awareness, acceptability andmisconceptions of menstrual cup was used. Data was analysed using SPSS software.Results: Mean age of the participants was 20.49 ± 2.07 years. 40(21.3%) were aware of hand hygiene beforeinsertion, 43(24.6%) knew average emptying time, 117(62.6%) sterilisation method, and 60(32.1%) knew regardingstorage of cup. But only 2[1.07% (95% CI= 0.00 - 2.5)] participants were using menstrual cup regularly. The mainmisconceptions regarding menstrual cup were, the insertion of device is painful [107(57.2%)], and someone withheavy menstrual flow cannot use the cup [48(25.7%)].Conclusion:Knowledge and acceptability regarding use of menstrual cup were poor. Many misconceptions were stillprevailing among the potential users. Proper awareness and health education should be implemented to increaseits acceptability and to correct the prevailing misconceptions.