Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs among the Impoverished Women, their Perceptions and Health Hazards

Background: Menstrual hygiene refers to the safe and easy access menstrual products, infrastructure, information, supplies, necessary for menstruating women cope with their menstruation decorum console, along systemic factors linking health, empowerment gender equality among other things. The effects of unmet needs on women's health have been subject very little research. Women around globe widespread unmet-menstrual-health requirements, including inability safe, clean facilities cheap period which exposes them socioeconomic depression serious reproductive tract infections. Aims: Therefore, determine impoverished women, this study was conducted in Southern region Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, during year 2021, identify hygiene, rule out risk infections due unhygienic, perceptions females beyond affordable ranges hazards associated it. Methods: 1538 took participation study, investigated through an approved questionnaire area. Additionally, poverty, accessibility, ability acquire items were evaluated. Results: average age range surveyed 28.50 + 3.12 (years) at menarche 11.8 2.4 (years). It seen that a significantly higher percentage (P<0.05) (1506/1638; 97.91%), knew use pads stop blood staining menstruation, while, 2.66% how tampons. found ratio suffering from property (59.68%) most deprived using hygienic products cycle. Nonetheless, majority used (58.45%), followed by cotton (38.29%) tampons (7.73%). While 9.03% (n=139/1538) driven unsanitary diapers, rags, materials lack items, financial constraints. Significantly less aware cycle (18.58%), dangers unhygienic (16.18%), risks genital brought unhygiene (9.42%). But substantially larger fraction 97.91%) pads. However, just 2.66 percent tampons, indicating its is not well known women. female population suffered food insecurity rate 17.94% had depressed position 32.44%. Biological samples obtained 230 willing participants diagnosis MHM-associated Because urinary (UTI) bacterial vaginosis (BV) are two prevalent illnesses linked MHM only individuals consented collection samples, then analyzed these conditions laboratory. And 16% revealed UTIs. While, 8.9 8.7% infected Trichomonas vaginalis Gardnerella vaginosis, respectively. 6.1% vaginal candidiasis. Practical implication: This will create awareness general community hazardous may result Conclusion: According findings our it determined lower-class lacked susceptible infections, decreased standing community. government non-government organizations should adopt stringent efforts ensure equity menstruators assist low-income obtaining protect mental physical health. Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; hygiene; pads; Tampons; UTI.