Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices among Girls and Women after the Chhaugoth Demolition Campaign in Chaurpati Rural Municipality, Achham, Nepal
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Background
Menstruation, also called Chhaupadi (in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces); is extricable connected to social taboos and stigma in Nepal. During menstrual periods and after child birth, girls and women are traditionally bound to stay for certain days in huts called Chhaugoth. Such practices have adverse social, economic and health consequences. It is legally punishable in Nepal; however, such practices remain prevalent. Recently, the Government of Nepal launched the Chhaugoth demolition campaign to eliminate such practices. In this context, this study aimed to identify the menstrual hygiene management practices after Chhaugoth Demolition Campaign in Chaurpati Rural Municipality Achham district of Nepal.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional quantitative study; conducted among 385 resident girls and women of the Chaurpati Rural Municipality who were in the menstrual life span (menarche to pre-menopause). A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents from the different wards of Chaurpati Rural Municipality. Data were collected through individual interview using KOBO toolbox. Data were analyzed using IBM’s SPSS 21. Ethical approval was obtained from IRC of Pokhara University. Appropriate descriptive statistics such as mean/median and SD were applied.
Results
Most women and girls (93.5%) reported that the existing Chhaugoths were demolished. Likewise, majority (85.5%) now reside in separate rooms at home during menstruation after Chhaugoth demolition campaign; however, about 11% still use Chhaugoths, often covertly. Girls and women reported improved living arrangements (30.8%); however, menstrual hygiene management practices remained considerably poor. While, 48.6% used sanitary pads but the practice of waste disposal remained suboptimal, with 29.1% burning and 15.1% dumping directly in water resources posing environmental health risks.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates progress in shifting women from hazardous menstrual seclusion to safer, in-house accommodations during menstruation. However, critical gaps persist in menstrual waste disposal and supportive infrastructure. To achieve sustainable menstrual dignity and equity, interventions must combine targeted behavior change communication with early, pre-menarche education, fostering a generational shift in practices and norms.
