Introduction

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices vary by socio-cultural context, educational background and economic status, and there is wide variation in MHM practices between and within countries [1, 2]. MHM is characterized by practices such as the type of absorbent material used and the frequency changed, associated body washing, the methods of washing, drying and storing reusable pads as well as other contextual factors, such as the location of menstruation-related changing and washing practices. These practices can be influenced by water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities at the household level, and the quality of, and access to, these facilities varies significantly between and within countries [3]. MHM practices can be unhygienic and inconvenient, particularly in resource-constrained settings, with poor WASH access [4], and have been found to be associated with different reproductive tract infections {BV, and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC)} [4] and with psychosocial stress outcomes [5].

Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) are a major public health concern worldwide and are particularly common in low-income settings [6, 7]. The prevalence of RTIs and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in women aged 15–44 years in Odisha was 35.2% in 2002–2004 [8]. Another study from the state of West Bengal, India, has reported that girls with higher socioeconomic status generally had both safer MHM practices and fewer gynecological problems [9]. The most common lower reproductive tract infections are bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) [10]. BV, the most common RTI, is characterized by an alteration in the vaginal microbiome with a decline in Lactobacillus colonization and an overgrowth of facultative anaerobic bacteria. Whilst vaginal inflammation is usually absent in BV, it is the most serious risk factor for women of reproductive age because of its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth [11, 12], acquisition of sexually transmitted infections [13], and the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) [14, 15]. Candida infection is the second most common RTI and VVC affects up to 75% of reproductive-age women at least once [16]. Candida infection can be asymptomatic and is thus often referred to as colonization. VVC, the disease state of Candida infection, is diagnosed by observing Candida species in presence of local signs and symptoms of inflammation [17]. TV infection is the most prevalent STI worldwide [18]. TV infection can lead to reproductive complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal factor infertility, pregnancy loss, premature membrane rupture, preterm delivery, low birth weight [18].

The clinical signs and symptoms of these infections overlap to a large extent, though the etiologies are quite different. Common clinical symptoms include vaginal discharge, dyspareunia, itching and burning sensation. However, the poor sensitivity and specificity of individual clinical symptoms, and the poor performance of standard laboratory tests in many settings, make the accurate clinical diagnosis of these infections difficult [19]. In addition, a significant proportion of genital infections are asymptomatic such that laboratory testing is required to diagnose and identify the specific cause.

Most studies assessing an association between MHM and RTI have used self-reported symptoms to measure outcomes which are likely biased [4]. When assessing MHM practices, most published studies have focused on absorbents, either comparing the type of absorbent used (e.g. reusable vs. disposable pads) or, in fewer cases, washing, drying and storing methods for cloths used for absorption or other personal hygiene practices [4, 20, 21].

In a recent case-control study in Odisha, India, it was observed that women of menstruating age with urinary tract infections (UTI) and BV were more likely using reusable absorbent pads than using disposable pads [22]. Both UTI and BV were also associated with a lack of a private space for changing, cleaning and washing during menstruation [22]. In that study, BV and UTIs were not detected in a significant proportion of women with vaginal symptoms suggesting that other urogenital infections may be responsible for these symptoms. Only one study has explored the association of VVC and TV infection with MHM practices, reporting that the use of saris for menstrual absorbent protection was safer than rags washed in river and dried at home [6]. However, no other MHM practices were explored in that study. In this study we address this gap by assessing the association of different MHM practices among women of reproductive age in Odisha with the risk of three common infections of the lower reproductive tract; Bacterial vaginosis (BV), Candida, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).

Methods

Study design and study population

This was a cross-sectional study that surveyed women attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G) Out-Patient Department (OPD) of two public hospitals in Odisha state, India: Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar; and, Ispat General Hospital (IGH), Rourkela. Capital Hospital is a government hospital with approximately 700 beds specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Family Welfare which caters to the urban and peri-urban population of Bhubaneswar city as well as adjoining rural areas. Almost all health care services are provided free of cost and the majority of patients attending Capital hospital are from the financially disadvantaged groups specifically from the urban and peri urban slums and rural areas IGH, Rourkela is managed by the Steel Authority of India Limited and provides free treatment for its employees and their dependents and treatment for the general public at a subsidized cost. The hospital is situated in a District inhabited predominantly by a tribal population, a large proportion of the patients attending the hospital are from tribal populations. The study population in Rourkela is therefore, covers a broad spectrum of socio-demographic status. The patient recruitment was done from April 2015 to February 2016.

Non-pregnant women of reproductive age (18–45 years) attending the O&G OPD with vaginal symptoms (vaginal discharge, itching, burning, dyspareunia, with lower abdominal pain, and lower back pain), or attending the Family Welfare Department (FWD) for contraceptives, such as intra-uterine devices (IUD) were eligible for enrolment. We excluded all women meeting one or more of the following criteria: menstruating during the clinic visit, had a hysterectomy, taken a course of antibiotics during the previous three weeks, used oral contraceptive pills in the previous three months, had diabetes mellitus, were HIV positive, or had any severe medical disorders requiring immediate referral to a higher level of health care.

Data collection

After identification by the treating doctor, all potential study participants underwent an informed consent process in the local language (Odia) and those choosing to participate provided written consent. The participants were informed that they would be tested for RTI and that their results would be provided free of cost and confidentially. Trained female interviewers administered a questionnaire collecting information about potential risk factors for the three infections. The examined risk factors were selected using a pre-specified conceptual framework with three groups of risk factors: socio-economic characteristics, MHM practices (related with menstrual absorbent material and body hygiene), and WASH access variables (access to water and sanitation resources for practicing safe MHM) (Fig. 1). This framework was already used by the authors in other related work, as it captures aspects of the working definition of MHM by the Joint Monitoring Program of the WHO and UNICEF in 2012 (defining MHM as: Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose the used menstrual management materials) and also other important risk factors related to the RTI identified in the literature. We used a questionnaire developed and tested previously by our team [22]. Information on socioeconomic factors included age, marital status, religion, education, occupation, number of family member and monthly income. Information on MHM practices included the type of menstrual absorbent used, individual hygiene habits, and domestic water and sanitation conditions. Questions on the use of absorbents included: the type of absorbent (reusable/disposable), the type of material used in reusable absorbents, frequency and place of change absorbent. In the case of reusable absorbents, information on the method of washing, drying, packaging, and storing were also collected. Information on water and sanitation conditions in their households, include information about access to latrine and place where the main water source is located. Clinical symptoms related to vaginal discharge (its quantity, smell, colour, and consistency), burning or itching of the genitalia, and the presence of ulcers at vulva and labia, vesicles, papules were collected (Additional file 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Conceptual framework of risk factors. A conceptual framework with three groups of risk factors: sociodemographic characteristics, MHM practices and WASH access variables

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Collection of vaginal samples

A speculum examination of the vagina and cervix was done by a trained O&G specialist to assess the presence of cervical erythema, bleeding, inflammation, with or without discharge, and ulcers at cervix. Vaginal specimens from the posterior vaginal fornix were collected using four BD BBL swabs (BD, Maryland, USA). The first swab was used for Gram staining to diagnose BV, the second swab was used to determine the presence of Candida, the third swab was used for DNA extraction for diagnosis of TV by nucleic acid amplification test, and the fourth swab was stored for future studies. After labelling, all materials (slides and swabs) were transported immediately to a local laboratory for preservation and subsequent diagnosis.

Diagnosis of BV, TV, and Candida infection

BV was diagnosed using Nugent’s laboratory diagnostic criteria [23] and a Nugent score (NS) between 0 and 10 was generated using the Nugent criteria. A NS of 0–3 was interpreted as normal or negative for BV, a score of 4–10 as intermediate/abnormal for BV or positive for BV. Presence of TV was identified by nucleic acid amplification tests [24] and diagnostic PCR was used to ascertain TV infection. Lastly, AlbiQuick™ rapid test (HARDY Diagnostic, CA, USA) was used for identification of Candida albicans as per manufacturer’s instructions. (More details for diagnosis of the three infections in Additional file 2).

Data handling and statistical analysis

All data were double-entered into Epi Info 7 software (Epi info, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA) and analyzed using Stata 11.0 (StataCorp, Stata Statistical Software: Release 11. 2011, StataCorp LP: College Station, Texas, USA). Pearson χ2 tests were used for initial examination of the association between individual exposures and each of the four of outcomes of interest (BV, Candida Infection, TV and having at least one infection). Among the participant-subgroup reporting use of reusable pads, we explored whether different washing, drying and storing practices were associated with the three studied infections. To estimate the prevalence rate ratios (PRR) and adjusted prevalence rate ratios (aPRR), and the associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors in relation to each of the four outcomes we used Poisson survival regression models.

Potential risk factors for the three infections were examined using a pre-specified conceptual framework with three groups of risk factors: socio-demographic characteristics, MHM practices (related with menstrual absorbent material and body hygiene), and WASH access variables (access to water and sanitation resources for practicing safe MHM) (Fig. 1). Analysis was done using a hierarchical approach. Age and education were retained in all final models as a priori potential confounding factors. Other variables were selected for inclusion based on stepwise elimination of variables associated (P < 0.1) in univariate analysis with the outcomes of interest. Owing to the collinearity of MHM practices, the effect of each practice on the risk of infection was evaluated in separate multivariable models adjusted for age, and education and by the other variables of interest from univariate model. Potential interacting variables were evaluated by including an interaction term in the regression model which was retained if judged statistically significant (P < 0.05) by likelihood-ratio test.

Results

Of 860 reproductive age women who visited the gynaecology OPD of the two hospitals during the study period 558 were enrolled in the study, 106 did not consent to participate and a further 196 were excluded according to our criteria (Fig. 2). Among enrolled women50.5% of women had at least one RTI symptom (data not shown). 29% of infected women reported that the symptoms motivating attendance at the clinic were recurrent, but only 30 out of 101 changed their MHM practices and only 17 changed the type of absorbents (the majority of them using disposable ones when interviewed) as a result of symptoms (Data not shown). Having abnormal vaginal discharge was the most frequently reported symptom (36.6%), followed by the feeling of burning or itching in the genitalia (27.9%) and presence of genital sores (8.9%) (data not shown). 62.4% were diagnosed with at least one of the three tested infections (1.3% had all three infections, 15.8% had two infections and 45.3% had only one infection). BV was the most prevalent infection (41%), followed by Candida (34%) and TV (5.6%) (Table 1).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Schematic diagram of recruitment of participants. Schematic diagram of recruitment of participants at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar and Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India

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Table 1 Socioeconomic characteristic of women participating in the study according to infection status Data are expressed in no (%) of women
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The median age of participants was 31 (range 18–45), and 85.3% of women were married and most identified as Hindu (96.4%). 15.4% of women had no formal education, 42% had attained 12th grade (12 years of education) or higher education. Table 1 shows the socioeconomic characteristics of study participants by the three infections. A significant difference in the education status (P < 0.006) between those with Candida and those without was observed, while other demographic and socio-economic variables didn’t show any significant difference among this group or any of the other infections.

Univariate analysis showed that certain MHM practices were associated with certain infections (Table 2). Women with BV or Candida infections were more likely to use reusable cloths more frequently than those without these infections (P < 0.014 and < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no observed difference by type of reusable material (Table 2). Similarly, women with BV or Candida infections were more likely to use reusable cloths versus disposable pads, to change their absorbents somewhere other than in a toilet facility, and to wash less frequently during menstruation. Women changing absorbents less frequently were more likely to have a BV infection but not a Candida infection. TV infection was not associated with any of the tested variables, and access to sanitation facilities or water at the household level was not associated with any of the three infections.

Table 2 Different menstrual hygiene management practices and WASH access variables of women participating in the study according to infection status
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We used multivariable analysis to assess the association between MHM variables and the three outcomes of interest whilst controlling for potential confounding factors. Reusable cloths were found to strongly associated with Candida infection (aPRR = 1.54, 95%CI 1.2–2.0), weakly associated with BV infection (aPRR =1.23, 95%CI 1.0–1.54) and not associated with TV infection (Table 3). Changing the absorbent in a location other than in a toilet facility was associated with a higher risk of BV (aPRR =1.21, 95%CI 1.0–1.48). Women who washed themselves less often during menstruation had a higher risk of BV and Candida infection (aPRR =1.25, 95%CI 1.0–1.55, aPRR =1.34, 95%CI 1.07–1.7, respectively) but not for TV. In the BV confirmed group, women who changed their absorbent material more frequently (twice or more) presented with reduced rates of infections compared with women who changed only once per day (aPRR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.6–0.93, aPRR =0.56, 95%CI 0.4–0.75, respectively).

Table 3 Multivariable table with crude and adjusted PRR for each disease model
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In order to explore if these MHM practices and other exposure factors were also associated with at least one infection, we performed univariate and multivariate analysis between the same exposure variables and the new infected outcome group (Table 3). Analysis of the aggregated infection outcome (one or more of any infection) showed a similar pattern in the adjusted multivariate analysis with significant association between at least one infection and reusable absorbents (aPRR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.17–1.56), non-access to a toilet facility for changing the pads (aPRR = 1.16, 95%CI 1.02–1.31) and lower frequency of self-washing and cleaning during menstrual cycle (aPRR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.06–1.38). Higher frequency of change of absorbents was protective of infections (aPRR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.61–0.86).

Use of reusable pads was correlated with other practices that plausibly influence the risk of RTI which required further investigation to assess what aspects of reusable pad use might explain the higher observed risk among users. In a sub-group of women who reported using reusable cloths (n = 282), we analyzed the independent association of the method of washing, the place of washing, the place of drying, the method of packing for storage, and the place of storage of the reusable pads on different infections (Table 4). Almost all women washed the reusable menstrual cloths in soap and water (data not shown) and there was no difference in risk of at least one infection by place of washing nor method of packing for storage of pads. However, significant differences in Candida infection were associated with the place of drying and the place of storage of the cloths. Women who dried their reusable menstrual absorbent inside their house and women who kept the stored cloth hidden in the toilet compartment were more likely to have Candida infections compared with women who dried them in the sun or open space (aPRR = 1.78, 95%CI 1.34–2.38) or who kept stored within cupboard in the changing room (aPRR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.49–2.57).

Table 4 Multivariable table among women who use reusable cloth comparing the PRR of different MHM practices
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Discussion

Among the women studied, the RTI prevalence was 62.4% with BV the most common infection (41%) and abnormal vaginal discharge the most commonly reported RTI symptom. These results are slightly higher than those observed in the District Level Household Survey - Reproductive & Child Health (DLHS-RCH) (2002–4) survey which reported a 35.2% prevalence of RTI/STIs in Odisha or the ones reported in another district of Odisha (39.2%) [25]. This difference may be due to the use of syndromic diagnosis of RTI/STI cases or because our study was done in an outpatient hospital setting where attending women have health problems. However, the frequencies of these infections are similar to those reported in other Indian studies [26, 27]. Infectious causes of vaginal discharge were observed in 51.75% women with BV 26.25%, Candidiasis 15.25%, Trichomoniasis 12.3%, and mixed infections 5.5% [28].

The current study supports the hypothesis that certain MHM practices are associated with a higher risk of lower reproductive tract infections. Women using reusable absorbent pads were more likely to have Candida infection and BV than women using disposable pads. This effect remains statistically significant for Candida infection, but not for BV, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. A similar lack of association with BV was observed in a previous study by our team [22] and also in an intervention study conducted in Kenya which showed that distribution of disposable sanitary pads among school girls did not reduce the risk of BV [29, 30].

The place where women normally change their absorbent material was also associated with BV after adjusting for confounders (changing inside a toilet facility was found to be protective for these infections). Similar findings with BV were observed in our previously hospital based study [22]. The current study cannot ascertain whether this association is causal, but it suggests that having a secure, comfortable, and hygienic place where women can practice MHM without stress and with access to water is important. This finding is supported by another community level related study that we conducted in Odisha, which showed that RTI self-reported symptoms were less common in women using a latrine for defecation versus open defecation [31].

Interestingly, higher education was found to be protective only for Candida infection after adjustment for confounding (data not shown). Many different studies have showed that with education, people are better prepared to prevent disease and use health services effectively [22, 32, 33] but the reasons why this factor only affects Candida infection and not BV or TV are unknown.

More frequent changing of absorbents and regular body washing during menstruation was associated with a lower risk of BV which was not observed in our previous study in the same setting [22]. The difference could be due to the different diagnostic criteria used for BV in this study, whilst the earlier study used Amsel’s clinical criteria, this study used a more sensitive laboratory-based Nugent’s criteria for diagnosis of BV. We are not sure about the mechanism how these exposures are responsible for BV, but it can be presumed that accumulation of blood in the vagina for a prolonged period of time may influence the vaginal ecosystem. The similar findings in the Kenyan study that girls given disposable sanitary pads tend to share them with others, and they use their remaining pads for a longer duration of time, adds plausibility to this hypothesis [30]. BV is caused by an imbalance of vaginal microbiota and the composition of vaginal microflora can be influenced by several factors, including ethnicity [34], sexual activity [35], and host immune response [36], especially the local vaginal mucosal response. In addition, it has been observed that the rectal microflora can serve as a reservoir for colonization of the vaginal ecosystem [37]. Therefore, it is logical to assume that MHM practices may influence the risk of vaginal infections. Another recent cross-sectional study in India, showed an association between lower frequency of genitalia washing associated with higher self-reported symptoms of itching and pustules in the genitalia [38].

Unhygienic MHM practices may create abnormally moist conditions in the vulvo-vaginal area, which may promote opportunistic infections such as Candida. Once infected, removal of Candida from the clothes may be difficult in absence of adequate cleaning and drying. In this study, whilst both BV and Candida infection were associated with several unhygienic MHM practices, TV infection was not. This could be due to the generally low prevalence of this infection among this population [39] but may also be due to the fact that TV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. The intervention study mentioned above, showed that the distribution of menstrual cups or sanitary pads was associated with a lower prevalence of STIs (C. trachomatis and TV, in particular). The authors hypothesized this may have prevented STIs as girls in the study population had previously reported having sex to obtain money to buy MHM materials [30].

There are several limitations to our study. Firstly, this was a hospital-based study and socio-economic, education, and WASH characteristics risk factors may differ from the wider population. Only women attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments consented to participate in the study, and to provide vaginal swabs, such that our findings may not be representative of either the wider population attending other sections of the hospital and, again, limiting the generalizability of our findings to the wider population. Secondly, this is a cross-sectional observational study and so we cannot infer causality based on the observed associations between MHM practices and health outcomes. Although we adjusted for a range of potential confounders, it is likely that there is residual confounding in our results. Furthermore, we did not collect data on, nor therefore adjust for, other possibly important factors, such as sexual practices or other infections. The Candida culture was able to detect only Candida albicans but no non-albican species. There is a possibility that other forms of Candida were not detected.

Despite these limitations, this is the first study, to our knowledge, to collect detailed information on individual MHM practices linked to individual laboratory confirmed lower RTI. The strengths of our work include: a large sample size with power to test associations between MHM practices and individual RTIs; the use of validated laboratory methods with external quality controls to diagnose RTI; and, lastly, the use of exclusively female doctors and interviewers in the study to facilitate participation in the study.

In India, and globally, there has been significant interest in recent years around the issue of safe MHM, and much discussion around the inclusion of MHM in the post-2015 sustainable development goals [40]. One intervention that has been advocated is the provision of disposable pads [41] but many limitations have been identified. Commercially available, disposable pads are often too expensive for poor communities [42, 43] and the promotion of disposable pads alone is unlikely to fully address the health and other problems associated with poor MHM. Beyond the prohibitive cost, misconceptions exist that disposable pads possess high absorbing capacity leading to reduced frequency of change, and accumulation of blood over a longer period of time. Finally, safe disposal of commercial pads is a challenge, which has not been addressed in many countries [44].

Reusable materials are still used widely and, for them to be hygienic, safe accompanying hygienic practices are required. This can be a great challenge in some settings such as high density urban settlements where private space for such practices is limited and in low income rural areas where the water supply is limited.

Whilst this study aimed to assess the risk presented by certain MHM practices for the health of women, it is important to recognize that access to safe, affordable and appropriate MHM is as much an issue of social justice as it one of public health [33, 40]. Whilst our study suggests that certain MHM practices contribute to the RTI disease burden, the justification for supporting all girls and women to manage their menstruation with safety, dignity, and comfort must extend beyond this public health rationale. Our study does though provide important insights as to which aspects of MHM might be considered for prioritization in national and global policy concerning MHM.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results of our study demonstrate a strong association between poor MHM practices and two lower RTIs: BV and Candida albicans infection. Our findings support global calls for a dual focus on the provision of appropriate absorbent materials as well as ensuring that environmental conditions that enable associated hygiene including washing and drying of pads can be practiced with safety and dignity by women. Future research efforts in this area should seek to measure whether and, to what extent, such interventions reduce the risk of RTI through well-conceived and well-designed intervention studies.