International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

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Volume 8 Issue 4
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Rural–Urban Disparities in Menstrual Hygiene Management among School-going Girls: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Author(s) Ms. Priyanka Sarkar, Dr. Dhiraj Shukla
Country India
Abstract Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a critical component of adolescent reproductive health and well-being. However, disparities in access to menstrual health information, sanitation facilities, and hygienic practices persist between rural and urban populations, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Understanding these geographical inequalities is essential for developing equitable menstrual health interventions. This study compared menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among adolescent girls residing in urban, suburban, and rural areas of West Bengal, India.

A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,119 school-going girls aged 12–18 years from eighteen schools in thirteen districts of West Bengal. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured study schedule. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc multiple comparison tests, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Significant rural–urban differences were observed across all domains of menstrual hygiene management. Urban adolescents demonstrated significantly higher mean scores for menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, hygiene practices, and media exposure than their suburban and rural counterparts. Post hoc analysis confirmed significant differences between urban and both suburban and rural groups. Chi-square analysis further demonstrated significant associations between habitat and menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, practices, and media exposure. The strongest association was observed for menstrual hygiene practices, indicating considerable geographical disparities in hygienic behaviour among adolescent girls.

The study highlights substantial rural–urban inequalities in menstrual hygiene management among girls in West Bengal. Girls residing in rural and suburban areas continue to experience disadvantages in menstrual health knowledge, attitudes, hygiene practices, and access to health information compared with urban girls. Strengthening school-based menstrual health education, improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, ensuring affordable access to menstrual products, and implementing targeted community-based interventions are essential to reduce these disparities and promote equitable menstrual health outcomes.
Keywords Menstrual hygiene management, Rural–urban disparities, Indian girls
Field Sociology > Health
Published In Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On 2026-07-04
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82805
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CrossRef DOI prefix of IJFMR is 10.36948/ijfmr

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