EXPLORING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRACTICES, KNOWLEDGE, AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES AMONG TRANSITIONED-AGED YOUNG WOMEN IN THE SIDDI TRIBAL COMMUNITY: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS abstract

Background: Menstruation is considered a universal experience, but transition-aged youth in tribal communities often remain critically underinformed about menstrual hygiene. The pervasive influence of cultural taboos and misinformation, coupled with inadequate access to essential facilities and sanitary products, exacerbates health risks and emotional distress. Aim: This study aimed to explore menstrual knowledge, attitudes, and practices among transitioned-aged young women in the Siddi tribe. Methods and Materials: The study employed an exploratory design with purposive sampling of 32 participants from the Siddi tribal community in Yellapur Taluka, Karnataka. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically to uncover key themes. Results: Thematic analysis yielded four principal themes: access to menstrual hygiene products, hygiene practices, privacy and facilitation, stigma and myths, health and wellbeing, and menstrual knowledge and awareness. Within these overarching themes, several sub-themes were accentuated, supported by direct verbatims from the interviews, providing nuanced insights into the participants’ experiences. Conclusion: The study revealed low menstruation-related knowledge among Siddi tribal women, with menarche typically starting at age 14. Early marriage is common, with 62.5% of transitioned-aged women already married, contrasting with other tribes where marriage often occurs later. Many women have poor understanding of menstruation, relying on misinformation from friends and family, which contributes to health issues. Menstruation remains taboo, influenced by cultural and religious factors, with common rituals and inadequate hygiene practices. Many women use reusable clothes under poor conditions, raising health risks. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to enhance menstrual health education, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity within the Siddi community, fostering improved psychological well-being.