Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Menstrual Yoksulluk ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to determine the menstrual poverty experiences and the affecting factors of female students studying in health sciences at a state university. The study sample consisted of 433 female students enrolled in associate and undergraduate programs in the fall semester of 2023-2024 at Hacettepe University Sıhhiye Campus. Research data were collected between October 2 and December 5, 2023, using the Introductory Information Form and Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS). Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the Mann Whitney U test, the Kruskall Wallis H test, the Dunn test with Bonferroni correction, and linear regression analysis. According to the research results, the total MPNS score average was 2,22±0,33. The model established to examine the factors affecting the total score of the MPNS was found to be statistically significant (F=14973; p<0,001), and 20.6% of the total score of the scale was explained by this regression model. It was found that the total scores of the MPNS were higher in students whose income was higher than their expenses, whose menstrual bleeding duration was between 2-7 days, whose menstrual bleeding did not affect their daily life activities, who did not feel the need to hide their menstrual bleeding, who did not feel the need to hide the product they used and who had access to menstrual hygiene products (p<0,05). In line with these results, it is recommended that menstrual hygiene products be made free or affordable to ensure that all women have access to the products and that basic menstruation education be provided to students to eliminate the stigma and shame regarding menstruation, and that universities, health institutions, and policymakers collaborate to develop supportive policies that will ensure that the menstrual period is spent safely and with dignity.