Awareness about Menstrual Cups and Hygiene amongst Undergraduate Medical Students of Government Medical College of Central India

Background: Menstrual hygiene management is a critical component of women's health, and it is imperative that medical students, future healthcare providers, possess a comprehensive understanding of menstrual cups.They have emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional menstrual hygiene products. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge about menstrual cups and menstrual hygiene among medical students. Material & Methods:A pre and post intervention study was conducted among female undergraduate medical students to assess their baseline knowledge and awareness of menstrual cups and menstrual hygiene. Subsequently, a targeted educational intervention, consisting of educational session and post-intervention assessment was conducted to assess changes in awareness. Results:Majority were from 1st professional year and between age group 18-25 years. The impact of educational intervention can be assessed by the knowledge about menstrual cups being readily available at pharmacies which has also improved from 29.7% pre-intervention to 89.8% post-intervention, showing a significant improvement in knowledge(p<0.05). The knowledge about menstrual cups being easy to use and acceptable had also increased from 32% to 86.7% post-intervention, showing a significant improvement in knowledge (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study emphasises the significance of empowering the medical students to be advocates for improved menstrual hygiene practices. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote menstrual health and hygiene in India and underscore the need for further research and interventions in this crucial area of public health.