Cross-cultural adaptation of the Malay version of the menstrual practice needs scale (MPNS-36), and assessment of menstrual practice needs among female university students in Malaysia

Menstrual health and hygiene management is increasingly recognized as a domestic and global public health concern. This study aims to describe the menstrual practice needs of female university students in Malaysia to inform responsive policy and practice. A cross-sectional study with an online survey conducted among Malaysian females aged 19 to 25 years old and studying at any public or private universities in Malaysia. The study include translation and validation of menstrual practice needs scale (MPNS-36) in Malay language, which is then used to assess the menstrual practice needs among Malaysian female university students. Overall and subscale scores were calculated according to MPNS scoring guidelines. Associations between sociodemographic factors and overall menstrual experience scores were examined using statistical chi-square and regression test. Following translation and adaptation of the MPNS-36, the tool has shown an acceptable internal consistency across all subscales with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.752 to 0.893. A total of 423 female university students with mean age of 22.8 years had participated in the assessment, resulted in mean score of overall menstrual experiences of 2.19 (SD = 0.42) which translated to some unmet needs. Furthermore, it is noted that very few participants had no unmet needs ( n = 4, 0.9%). The lowest mean score obtained is from subscale material reliability concern 1.7 (SD = 0.75). No statistically significant predictors of MPNS-36 scores were identified in the multivariable analysis, although respondents whose mothers had tertiary education tended to report higher MPNS-36 scores (adjusted B = 0.080, 95% CI: −0.002 to 0.163; p = 0.057). This study provides a reliable Malay translation of the MPNS-36 for assessing menstrual practice needs among Malaysian female university students. The findings reveal substantial unmet menstrual practice needs and highlight the influence of parental educational factors, underscoring the need for targeted educational initiatives.