Cultural Myths and Practice Followed During Menstruation in Chengalpattu District- an Observational Study

Background: The process of menstruation is still maintained under the door of secrecy in many regions of India, during the days of menstruation the women are restricted from their daily activities. such as not entering the puja room, not entering the kitchen, they should not offer prayers and touch holy books, they also believe that, since menstruating women are impure and un hygienic they are not allowed to prepare food. Aim & Objective: In Asian continent women during menarche days are contemplated as impure because of taboos and cultural belief. This study will chart out the pyramidal concept of knowledge, hygiene and taboos being followed by the current generation women in urban zone. This study also looks forward in creating awareness about the myths which is eradicated, but still being followed unknowingly in many parts of India. Methodology: It is a Cross-sectional study conducted in Chengalpattu district with a sample size of 549. The women attained menarche reside in mariamalai nagar were recruited, on parallel the women with any gynecological condition were excluded out of the study. The participants ’demographic data and menstruation history were collected, then a structured questionnaire was used to analyze the knowledge, taboos and level of hygiene. The collected data were statistically analyzed. Outcome Measure: Structured questionnaire. Results& Conclusion: The consequences of menstrual myths significantly reduce women quality of life, limits their productivity inputs to the society at some extent women go unnoticed. This study also request government of tamil nadu to initiate medical campaign in rural areas in finding out the cultural myths which are still followed in many parts of Tamil Nadu which binds the women under a shelter in inhibiting them from growing in their career and creating awareness among them , so that people’s perception can be changed and women can play a exceptional role in taking care of family in creating a myth free and harmonious tamil nadu.