EVIDÊNCIAS DE VALIDADE DO INSTRUMENTO ADAPTADO “MENSTRUAL PRACTICE NEEDS SCALE (MPNS-36)

Abstract

Introduction: Menstruation is a physiological process that occurs monthly in individuals with a vagina and uterus; however, often these individuals face difficulties due to inadequate conditions and environments to perform menstrual hygiene in a dignified manner. Within the realm of psychometric scales, Brazil lacks validated instruments in the Portuguese language that quantify the menstrual experiences of menstruating individuals, hindering the comparison of the country with results from diverse cultures. This gap impedes a deep understanding of these experiences, which are essential for the development of public policies targeted at this population, paving the way for significant advancements in Brazilian healthcare. Objective: To demonstrate the validation evidence of the translated and adapted Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument The Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36). Method: This is a methodological, cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted from July to October 2023. The analysis of psychometric properties consists of three stages: data collection, construct analysis, and internal consistency analysis. The sample included 360 high school students from the municipality of Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil. Results: Descriptive and inferential analysis revealed diversified sociodemographic data. Out of the 360 participants, the majority were single (n=331, 91.9%), mixed race (n=178, 49.4%), evangelical (n=160; 44.4%), urban residents (n=304; 84.4%), with a mean age of 17.18 years and menarche at 11.12 years. Dysmenorrhea was prevalent (n=259, 71.9%), influencing absence from regular activities (n=187, 52.4%). External disposable pads (n=323) were the most used, followed by toilet paper (n=47); additionally, 148 (41.1%) girls used or had used fabric/cloth. Reliability analysis showed a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.781. Conclusion: The diversity of participants revealed cultural and social influences on menstrual perception, highlighting absence from daily activities, lack of adequate facilities, intimate hygiene, items used, stigma, and lack of prior information. This information connects experiences and sociodemographic contexts, providing an understanding of the menstrual needs and realities of these girls. The study strengthens the validity and reliability of the "Menstrual Needs and Reality Scale" as a tool to assess menstrual management practices and environments. Additionally, it provides supportive information for interpreting scale data and scores. Future research is recommended to expand validation across different regions of the country