Knowledge, Acceptability and Misconceptions Regarding Menstrual Cup among College Students of Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Menstrual cup is a good, safe, hygienic, eco-friendly and economical option for menstrual management
than other menstrual products. The present study aims to find knowledge, acceptability, and misconceptions of
menstrual cup among female college students in Kerala.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 participants studying in Engineering
or Arts College of Ernakulam district using consecutive sampling technique. A semi-structured expert validated
questionnaire containing socio-demographic details and questions regarding awareness, acceptability and
misconceptions of menstrual cup was used. Data was analysed using SPSS software.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 20.49 ± 2.07 years. 40(21.3%) were aware of hand hygiene before
insertion, 43(24.6%) knew average emptying time, 117(62.6%) sterilisation method, and 60(32.1%) knew regarding
storage of cup. But only 2[1.07% (95% CI= 0.00 - 2.5)] participants were using menstrual cup regularly. The main
misconceptions regarding menstrual cup were, the insertion of device is painful [107(57.2%)], and someone with
heavy menstrual flow cannot use the cup [48(25.7%)].
Conclusion:
Knowledge and acceptability regarding use of menstrual cup were poor. Many misconceptions were still
prevailing among the potential users. Proper awareness and health education should be implemented to increase
its acceptability and to correct the prevailing misconceptions.