Assessment of Knowledge Regarding Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Three Private Colleges of Lahore, Pakistan

Menstrual hygiene is a vital component of women’s health, essential for preventing infections and maintaining comfort and dignity. However, in Pakistan, menstruation is still surrounded by social stigma and cultural taboos, which contribute to misinformation and unhygienic practices. Many young women, including nursing students, often lack adequate knowledge and guidance about menstrual health during their upbringing. As future healthcare professionals, these students may not possess the necessary skills or confidence to manage their own menstrual hygiene effectively or to educate others. This knowledge gap not only affects their personal health but also limits their ability to support and guide patients. Therefore, this research was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice related to menstrual hygiene among undergraduate nursing students at three private colleges in Lahore, with the aim of raising awareness and improving education in this crucial area. To assess undergraduate nursing students' menstrual hygiene behaviors and knowledge in order to find any gaps that may be filled with educational initiatives. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Purposive sampling was used to select participants from three private colleges in Lahore. A total of 150 female nursing students who had been menstruating for at least one year were included in the study. Data were collected using a standardized, self-administered questionnaire, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentage, were used to present the findings. While most participants (88.7%) were aware of commercially accessible sanitary pads, few were aware of other goods such as tampons (18.7%) and menstrual cups (26.7%). The majority of students (90.7%) maintained good genital hygiene, and 94.0% washed their hands after changing menstruation products. However, only 40.0% of women changed their sanitary product three or more times a day, and 26.8% did not take a bath at all during their periods. Persistent cultural stigma was reflected in the emotional reactions to menstruation, which included dread (44.0%) and humiliation (16.0%). Despite demonstrating basic awareness and hygienic practices, nursing students skill lack a comprehensive understanding of alternative menstrual products, the adverse effects of poor hygiene, and emotional coping strategies. These findings suggest that nursing curricula should include targeted instruction on menstrual hygiene to equip future healthcare professionals with accurate knowledge and promote healthy behaviors.