Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among disabled women of reproductive age in Nepal: a cross-sectional study
- 1School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Gandaki, Nepal
Abstract
Objectives: To assess menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices and associated factors among disabled women of reproductive age in Nepal.
Design: A community-based cross-sectional study design.
Setting: Household settings across seven local levels of Nawalparasi West district, Nepal, from May to December 2025.
Participants: A total of 218 women with disabilities of reproductive age (15–49 years) participated in the study.
Primary and secondary outcome measures: MHM practice was the primary outcome, while menstrual knowledge and factors associated with good MHM practice were also assessed. MHM practice and menstrual knowledge were measured using items from the Menstrual Practice Questionnaire and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019.
Results: Among the 218 participants, more than half (52.3%) had poor knowledge of menstruation, with a mean knowledge score of 3.4±2.06. However, 61.5% demonstrated good MHM practices, with a mean practice score of 7±1.6. Multiple logistic regression analysis, including variables with p<0.05 in bivariate analysis and type of disability, showed that participants aged 15–24 years (AOR=5.63, 95% CI 2.12 to 14.93, p=0.001), having mothers with informal education (AOR=2.22, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.82, p=0.044), a family monthly income greater than 30 000 NPR (AOR=2.38, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.96, p=0.020), and good knowledge of menstruation (AOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.32, p=0.037) were significantly more likely to practise good MHM.
Conclusions: Despite limited knowledge of menstruation among women with disabilities aged 15–49 years, most practised good menstrual hygiene. Interventions targeting menstrual health education, particularly for older and lower-income women with disabilities, are recommended to further improve hygiene practices and menstrual health outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{magar2026menstrual,
title = {{Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among disabled women of reproductive age in Nepal: a cross-sectional study}},
author = {Ashma Thapa Magar and Abhishek Sapkota and Krishna Prasad Sapkota},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122091},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122091},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among disabled women of reproductive age in Nepal: a cross-sectional study
AU - Ashma Thapa Magar
AU - Abhishek Sapkota
AU - Krishna Prasad Sapkota
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122091
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122091
AB - Objectives: To assess menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices and associated factors among disabled women of reproductive age in Nepal. Design: A community-based cross-sectional study design. Setting: Household settings across seven local levels of Nawalparasi West district, Nepal, from May to December 2025. Participants: A total of 218 women with disabilities of reproductive age (15–49 years) participated in the study. Primary and secondary outcome measures: MHM practice was the primary outcome, while menstrual knowledge and factors associated with good MHM practice were also assessed. MHM practice and menstrual knowledge were measured using items from the Menstrual Practice Questionnaire and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019. Results: Among the 218 participants, more than half (52.3%) had poor knowledge of menstruation, with a mean knowledge score of 3.4±2.06. However, 61.5% demonstrated good MHM practices, with a mean practice score of 7±1.6. Multiple logistic regression analysis, including variables with p<0.05 in bivariate analysis and type of disability, showed that participants aged 15–24 years (AOR=5.63, 95% CI 2.12 to 14.93, p=0.001), having mothers with informal education (AOR=2.22, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.82, p=0.044), a family monthly income greater than 30 000 NPR (AOR=2.38, 95% CI 1.15 to 4.96, p=0.020), and good knowledge of menstruation (AOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.32, p=0.037) were significantly more likely to practise good MHM. Conclusions: Despite limited knowledge of menstruation among women with disabilities aged 15–49 years, most practised good menstrual hygiene. Interventions targeting menstrual health education, particularly for older and lower-income women with disabilities, are recommended to further improve hygiene practices and menstrual health outcomes.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -