Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Use of Menstrual Cup Among Female College Students Aged 18-21 Years in Ambalapuzha Taluk

The study aimed to assess Knowledge and attitude regarding use of menstrual cup among female college students aged 18-21 years in Ambalapuzha taluk. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge regarding use of menstrual cup among female college students, assess the attitude of female college students towards use of menstrual cup, determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude of female college students regarding use of menstrual cup, determine the association between knowledge of female college students regarding use of menstrual cup and selected socio personal variables and determine the association between attitude of female college students regarding use of menstrual cup and selected socio personal variable. The conceptual framework adopted for this study was Rosenstock’s health belief model. Cross- sectional survey design was used in this study. Using multistage cluster sampling, 300 female college students were selected from selected colleges of Ambalapuzha taluk. Socio personal data were obtained by using socio personal data sheet and the knowledge of female college students regarding use of menstrual cup were assessed by using a questionnaire. Attitude towards the use of menstrual cup was assessed by using a Likert rating scale. All the data were collected as self-reports from female college students. The study findings showed that 83.3% of female college students had average knowledge regarding use of menstrual cup. Out of 300 female college students, 5.3% had unfavorable attitudes and 94.7% had favorable attitude towards use of menstrual cup. There was a moderate positive correlation (+.560) between knowledge and attitude of female college students regarding use of menstrual cup. There was statistically significant association between knowledge of female college students and socio personal variables including education of mother and occupation of father. There was a significant association between the attitude of female college students and education of mother. The study concluded that providing appropriate knowledge regarding use of menstrual cup will help to increase the adaptability of the menstrual cup without causing any harm. Key words: Knowledge, attitude, use of menstrual cup, female college students.