A Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitude, Practices of Menstrual Hygiene and College Absenteeism During Menstruation Among Medical Students

Background: Menstruation is a normal body process. However, poor awareness, social restrictions, and symptoms like pain can affect female students’ daily activities and college attendance. Medical students, as future doctors, should have good knowledge and safe practices regarding menstrual hygiene. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 female medical students at Government Karur Medical College using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and tested using Chi-square test and odds ratio. A p-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 20.4 ± 1.1 years. About 69.4% had some knowledge about menstruation before menarche, mainly from their mothers. College absenteeism during menstruation was reported by 36.7% of students, mostly due to pain (93.3%). Painful menstruation had a significant association with absenteeism (p < 0.001), and students with pain had higher odds of taking leave (OR 14.72; 95% CI: 5.13–42.17). PMS was present in 64.9% of participants. Sanitary napkins were used by 97.1%, and most students followed proper disposal and hand hygiene. Conclusion: Even though most students had good awareness and hygiene practices, menstrual pain and PMS still led to college absenteeism. Early identification, counselling, and supportive steps at the college level can help reduce absence during menstruation.