Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Socioeconomic Conditions and Lifestyles on Menstrual Characteristics among Rural Women

Geetha P, Chenchuprasad C, Sathyavathi RB, Bharathi T, Surendranadha Reddy K and Kodanda Reddy K

Objective: The present study is aimed at assessing the menstrual characters and their association with life styles and socioeconomic gradients in free living adult rural women of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Methods: In this study 752 married rural women in the age range of 20 to 40 years were screened by employing multistage random sampling technique. Data on life styles, socioeconomic conditions and menstrual characteristics were procured through pre-validated questionnaires.
Results: Oligomenorrhea and hypermenorrhea were noticed to an extent of 12% and 9% respectively. Menstrual problems were recorded among 32% of the women. Primary dysmenorrhea was the predominant ailment suffered by the subjects (30%). Multivariate analysis revealed that history of RTI/STDs, diabetes, menstrual problems, duration of menstrual flow and material used during menstruation were found to be significant (P<0.001) predictors of irregular menstrual cycle.
Conclusion: Advocation of preventive strategies in the form of promoting healthy life styles could be effective in correcting the menace.