Assessing Women’s Menstruation Concerns and Experiences in Rural India: Development and Validation of a Menstrual Insecurity Measure

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Shauna McManus¹  Gerard Portela²  Thomas Clasen³  Bethany A. Caruso⁴ 

[1] Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;

关键词: gender;    security;    factor analysis;    management;    restriction;    pain;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph17103468

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Qualitative research has documented menstruator’s challenges, particularly in water and sanitation poor environments, but quantitative assessment is limited. We created and validated a culturally-grounded measure of Menstrual Insecurity to assess women’s menstruation-related concerns and negative experiences. With cross-sectional data from 878 menstruating women in rural Odisha, India, we carried out Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory (CFA) Factor Analyses to reduce a 40-item pool and identify and confirm the scale factor structure. A 19-item, five factor model best fit the data (EFA: root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.027; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.994; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.989; CFA: RMSEA = 0.058; CFI = 0.937; TLI = 0.925). Sub-scales included: Management, Menstrual Cycle Concerns, Symptoms, Restrictions, and Menstruation-Related Bodily Concerns. Those without access to a functional latrine, enclosed bathing space, water source within their compound, or who used reusable cloth had significantly higher overall Menstrual Insecurity scores (greater insecurity) than those with these facilities or using disposable pads. Post-hoc exploratory analysis found that women reporting experiencing tension at menstrual onset or difficulty doing work had significantly higher Menstrual Insecurity scores. This validated tool is useful for measuring Menstrual Insecurity, assessing health inequities and correlates of Menstrual Insecurity, and informing program design.

【 授权许可】

Unknown