AVALIAÇÃO DA REALIDADE E NECESSIDADES MENSTRUAIS ENTRE ESTUDANTES DE GRADUAÇÃO

Abstract

Introduction: The management of menstrual hygiene is an aspect that needs to be discussed in Brazil, since there are more than 713,000 girls who live without access to toilets in their homes and in the school environment around 200,000 students are totally deprived of minimum conditions to take care of their menstruation, so that these young women experience a lack of hygiene products and inappropriate access to safe, clean and private toilets, experiencing a situation of menstrual poverty. Objective: To assess the menstrual health status of menstruating women enrolled in undergraduate courses at a public higher education institution. Method: This is a quantitative exploratory study aimed at analyzing the phenomenon of menstrual poverty among undergraduate students, using the “MPNS-36 Menstrual Needs and Reality Scale”. Results and Discussion: 180 people aged between 18 and 45 took part in the study. Among them, 71.7% were able to change their menstrual items frequently; 95% had access to a clean place; and 97.8% had never worried about someone hurting them while changing hygiene items in the home environment. However, in an academic environment, 54.4% reported not being able to change their menstrual items frequently; 67.2% mentioned that they don't always have a clean place; and 87% don't worry about being hurt when changing their menstrual hygiene items. Menstrual health is a public health issue, and it is essential to guarantee access to an environment that offers comfort and dignity. Conclusion: The results indicate the need to invest in improvements in the sanitary conditions of the academic environment and in education to improve public policies, so that people who menstruate can have their menstrual hygiene needs properly met, avoiding discomfort and possible absenteeism due to the difficulty of taking care of their menstrual hygiene.