Rural Realities: Assessing Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge and Practices among Women of Reproductive Age in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Background: Menstruation is a key physiological milestone in a woman’s life, yet it remains surrounded by taboos and cultural misconceptions, particularly in rural India. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to various health complications and negatively impact psychological and social well-being. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual hygiene among women of reproductive age in a rural area of Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, and to explore the influence of socio-demographic factors on these practices. Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 women aged 15–49 years in the rural field practice area of Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute. Participants were selected using multistage random sampling. Data were collected through a structured, validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: While 90.9% of participants demonstrated good knowledge about menstrual hygiene, a substantial proportion still practiced less hygienic methods—23.6% used cloth and 3.1% used locally prepared napkins, compared to 73.3% who used sanitary napkins. Burning was the most common disposal method (54.5%). Lower educational status and socioeconomic class were significantly associated with both the type of absorbent used and disposal practices. Community health workers (47%) and healthcare professionals (41%) were the primary sources of information, while mass media played a minimal role (3%). Conclusion: Despite high awareness, gaps in hygienic practices persist. Addressing these requires culturally appropriate, affordable and accessible interventions that consider the socio-economic and educational context of rural women.