A qualitative study on married men’s perceptions and approach towards household menstrual hygiene management

Discussions on menstrual hygiene within households are uncommon in rural settings, particularly among men in marital relationships, often reinforcing negative attitudes toward women. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by examining how rural married men’s beliefs and attitudes shape their involvement in household Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). The study aimed to explore married men’s perceptions, knowledge, and practices that influence their engagement in household MHM, while also identifying the barriers and enabling factors affecting their support. A Constructivist Grounded Theory approach was adopted, employing purposive sampling to recruit 22 participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and themes related to men’s roles in MHM. Findings revealed that most participants provided emotional and physical support during their partners’ menstruation and expressed interest in learning about menstrual hygiene and disposal practices. Nevertheless, entrenched social and cultural norms surrounding menstruation persisted. Over half of the participants regarded menstruation as a normal biological process, though the disposal of sanitary products was primarily undertaken by their female partners. Some participants reported that menstruation influenced marital intimacy. Importantly, men’s support tended to be temporary and situational rather than consistent in daily household practices. The study highlights limited outreach by healthcare systems and stakeholders in promoting menstrual hygiene education for men, particularly regarding household hygiene and disposal practices. Strengthening community-level interventions could enhance men’s engagement in supporting menstrual hygiene within households.