Perception, practices and experiences of chhaupadi pratha in sudurpaschim province of Nepal.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT:

Background: Chhaupadi Pratha is a century-long traditional practice that considers women impure during menstruation and demands their isolation from the community imposing restrictions on daily lives making women vulnerable to multiple physical and psychological problems. Though menstruation is a normal process, menstrual exclusion is prevalent, the study was to conduct to assess the perception, practices, and experiences of Chhaupadi Pratha.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, mixed method was conducted. Quantitative data was collected through face-to-face interviews of 319 Women of Reproductive Age was randomly selected from Ramaroshan Rural Municipality. Qualitative data was collected through FGD among community men and women were conducted separately. KII of the stakeholders were conducted. Further, observation of 95 living spaces was done. Descriptive and inferential statistics of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data was done.

Results: The prevalence of Chhaupadi was found to be 80.6% with average length of stay in living space being 4.9 days. Religious activities were avoided by 94.6% of the respondents, 65.5% avoided touching plants and seeds, 67.3% did not cook and enter kitchen, and 44.5% did not consume dairy products during menstruation. The reason for following the practice was culture and tradition (63.9%), family pressure (68.3%), and fear of negative consequences (60.1%). High menstrual stress was reported among 54.5% of the respondents.

Conclusion: Prevalence of Chhaupadi seclusion has been found to be high along with the imposement of various forms of restrictions during menstruation that has yielded negative experiences and various problems in women’s life. The socio-economic upliftment of women and evidence-based interventions is required to address Chhaupadi in the community.

Keywords: Chhaupadi Pratha, Menstrual Exclusion, Menstrual Restrictions