Over 44% of women aged 15-24 in Karnataka continue to use cloth for menstrual protection

This is the highest among southern States followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, at 40.2% and 36.2% respectively. May 28 is observed as World Menstrual Hygiene Day

Over 44% of women aged 15-24 years in Karnataka continue to use cloth for menstrual protection, according to the recently released NFHS-5 report. This is the highest among southern States followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, at 40.2% and 36.2% respectively.

In terms of overall use of a hygienic method of menstrual protection, Karnataka ranks the lowest among southern States at 84.6%. Locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons and menstrual cups are considered to be hygienic methods of protection in the survey.

While 69.1% use sanitary napkins, 2.9% use tampons and 0.3% menstrual cups, 21.9% use locally prepared napkins in Karnataka.

In Puducherry, 99.1% of women aged 15-24 years use a hygienic method of protection. Puducherry is followed by Andaman (98.8%) and Nicobar Islands (98.4%). The lowest percentage of women using a hygienic method of menstrual protection is recorded in Bihar (59%), Madhya Pradesh (61%), and Meghalaya (65%)

Overall, although 77.6% of women use a hygienic method of protection in India, 49.6% continue to use cloth. While 64.4% use sanitary napkins, 15% use locally prepared napkins; 1.7% use tampons and 0.3% use menstrual cups in India.

While Uttar Pradesh (69.4%) and Assam (69.1%) have the highest percentage of women who continue to use cloth, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (8.2%) and Tamil Nadu have the lowest (12.7%). 

The survey found that women with 12 or more years of schooling are more than twice as likely to be using a hygienic method as compared to women with no schooling (90% versus 44%).