Menstrual Attitudes and Practices in the Rural Dominican Republic

Abstract

Background: Studies show that negative taboos and ideologies surrounding menstruation are a serious hindrance to managing menstrual hygiene. A 2016 study conducted by Russel et al. in the rural Dominican Republic identified menstruation as a top concern of adolescents, reiterating the need for further research on this topic.

Objectives: As leader of UACOM’s Global Health Trip, I designed a menstrual needs assessment survey to improve women’s health care by assessing our patients’ menstrual hygiene practices and access to menstrual resources.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Dominican Republic from 05/25/2019-06/01/2019 using an English/Spanish survey of 15 questions. Data was analyzed through logistic regressions via STATA.

Results: 73 participants responded. 80% of participants indicated that they replaced their hygiene products regularly, and 60.3% of participants reported access to affordable products. 40% of participants reported missing school due to their period, and 67.1% of participants reported taking medication for menstrual pain. Participants with access to affordable products were 2.19 times more likely to replace their menstrual products, and participants who had access to clean water were 3.77 times more likely to replace their products.

Conclusion: The findings agreed with the current literature that stigma may prevent adolescents from seeking advice about menstruation from parents or teachers, who may also prefer to stay at home rather than be uncomfortable at schools which lack menstrual hygiene facilities. The results were clinically significant and can be used as a needs assessment to guide women’s health care for future medical trips.