Peer-reviewed article

Reproductive health knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among rural married women in central district of Tamil Nadu: A cross-sectional study.

Jeganathan G, Srinivasan S, Ramasamy S, Govindharaj P · 28 Nov 2025

Abstract

Women living in rural areas are at high risk for negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes due to a lack of adequate and correct knowledge about their bodies, especially the reproductive system and its working. This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding reproductive health among rural women of Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage sampling method among 407 married women aged between 18-45 years, having at least one child, and living in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu were included for this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data about the demographic status and knowledge of reproductive health. Of the 407 respondents, eighty-six (21.1%) women married below the age of 18 years, and over 50% did not know about reproductive health and did not have knowledge about their menstrual cycle. Ninety-five (23.3%) respondents used clothes during the time of menstruation. The respondents acquired awareness about contraceptive methods and HIV/AIDS through health workers, television and through books and newspapers. This study concluded that the knowledge on reproductive health was not adequate among the women and still one-fifth of the women used cloths during menstruation. Therefore, this study emphasized that awareness about reproductive health should be conducted periodically for rural women to improve their knowledge of reproductive health. As well, the women should be encouraged to use sanitary napkins during menstruation.