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Slums serve as barometers reflecting the inherent strengths and flaws of a culture. The future’s winners will be, roughly speaking, those peoples whose traditions can support extensive slum existence without decaying. Future victims will be those whose civilizations cannot………..Robert D. Kaplan, the Coming Anarchy, 1994 Menstruation is a typical psychological phenomenon as well as a crucial indicator of reproductive health in women of childbearing age.The Latin word “menses”, which means moon and denotes a Lunar month lasting 28 days, was used to create the English word “menstruation”. Menstruation is the first sign of the “Menstrual Hygiene” problem. Adolescents typically carry over the habits, skills, and attitudes they learn into adulthood and pass them down to their offspring. Therefore, any incorrect idea or habit regarding menstruation will have an adverse effect on the health of many women in the reproductive age group. Both rural and urban places have different menstrual hygiene customs. Talking about a person’s reproductive system is frowned upon in Indian culture. Young females are poorly informed and unaware of the physical and psychological changes that accompany adolescence’s onset and existence. There are many social misconceptions and misunderstandings about menstruation.For the first year or two after menstruation begins, the cycle is frequently erratic. A child’s physical, psychological, and biological growth happens throughout this time. India’s urban population has grown faster than its rural population for the first time since the country’s independence. Rapid urbanization is being caused by more urban-biased economic activity and job creation, and more poor people are now residing in Indian cities and towns. Increasing urban biased economic activity and job creation are leading to rapid urbanization, and a greater number of poor people today are living in cities and towns in India. Adolescence is the stage of physical, psychological and reproductive development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. Adolescence in girls has been recognized as a special period in their life cycle that requires specific and special attention. This period is marked with onset of menarche. The A healthy woman menstruates for approximately 3000 days in average lifetime. Menstruation stops occurring after menopause which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. Periods also stops during pregnancy and also in the initial months of breast feeding. Menstrual hygiene and management for universal education, as well as gender equality and women’s empowerment, were specifically addressed in MDGs 2 and 3 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. However, these issues received less attention in underdeveloped nations, and even the literature on gender mainstreaming in the sanitary segment is devoid of any mention of them. According to the UN, “Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect 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 of used menstrual management materials” are considered to meet this definition. Menstrual hygiene is a necessary aspect of women’s lives. Menstruation has been linked to women’s health and wellbeing in a variety of ways, including its physiology, pathology, and psychology; as a result, it is a significant issue in terms of the morbidity and mortality of the female population.Wearing unsanitary clothing can result in reproductive system infections, which can substantially impair a woman’s ability to reproduce or possibly shorten her life. There is a discrepancy between facts and beliefs of adolescent girls. According to a number of research of studies, and females have little knowledge of menstruation when they first start having periods. Many girls who live in slum regions are not aware of the true nature of the menstrual cycle. Although menstruation is a normal occurrence, it is associated with a number of social beliefs and customs that may have a negative impact on health.Within our society, the issues about menstruation are not permitted to discuss openly and causes adverse impact on women’s health. Menstrual hygiene is also influenced by socio-economic level, environmental restrictions, stress and shame, a lack of information, a lack of utilities like water, the stigma associated with menstruation, gender norms in the restroom, and privacy. According to one Saudi Arabian study, girls only receive a small amount of information from their mothers, sisters, and religious texts. According to a research, 71% of Indian females said they were unaware about menstruation before to their first period. According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, only 36% of women use sanitary napkins. Many girls use unsanitary undergarments and clothing. N. Risbud (2003)talked on the sanitation issues in Mumbai’s urban slums. The state of sanitation in slums is extremely bad; 73%of slums rely on government-providedcommunal restrooms, 28%urinate outside, 0.7% pays to use restrooms run by NGOs, and only 01% have private restrooms. According to Phukan, D. K. (2014), the housing, water facilities, and sanitation system in the slums of Jorhat City are subpar, which causes the slum dwellers to face a variety of issues. Even such a pitiful state harms many residents outside the slums. According to a study conducted in West Bengal by Dasgupta et al. (2008), a large percentage of adolescents have menstrual hygiene that is far from satisfactory. They also frequently have misconceptions about menstruation, unsafe practices, and a mother’s reluctance to educate her child. In depth research on the nutritional status of women residing in Allahabad’s slums by Amirul Hassan and VandanaShukla (2013)revealed that these women suffer from a variety of deficiencies, are anemic, and require dental care. Malnutrition and nutritional anemia are the crucial health problems of slum women furthermore to dental caries. Menstruation, menstrual cleanliness, and menstrual waste disposal are typically taboo topics. It has long been stigmatized and is subject to a number of socio-cultural prohibitions. When creating software to improve women’s health, this issue has traditionally received insufficient attention and has been ignored. The majority of girls in rural regions do not even know that menstruation is a natural occurrence; instead, they learn from their parents, families, and society that it is shameful and taboo.Every girl and women must deal with the very essential issue of menstrual hygiene, yet the subject is not as well discussed in the society as it should be. Menstruation and improper management of menstrual hygiene are taboo topics. The study’s primary goal is to evaluate menstrual hygiene management technique. The findings of this study will unmistakably depict our society as it really is and will contribute to a greater understanding among girls and women. The result will also beuseful in developing the right strategy, legislative initiatives, and programs for improving menstrualhygiene.In order to avoid RTI (Reproductive Tract Infections) and subsequent problems, it is necessary to implement suitable public health initiatives at various levels to raise awareness about safe menstrual hygiene habits among adolescent girls.

According to WHO, adolescence lasts from 10 to 19 years of age. Adolescence is the stage of physical, psychological and reproductive development that generally takes place during the period from puberty to legal adulthood. Early adolescence and late adolescence are two different adolescent phases. Early adolescence spans the ages of 10 to 14. Physical changes start during this time, including a growth spurt, the development of the sex organs, and the emergence of secondary sexual traits. The following age range, from 15 to 19, is known as late adolescence. The significant bodily changes have already taken place, and at this time, the psychological changes emerge. Girls’ adolescence is a unique stage that marks the change from being a girl to becoming a woman. It is the time when the body and mind are getting ready for a healthy pregnancy.A healthy woman menstruates for around 3000 days in average lifetime. Menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is the point at which menstruation stops.

Global Report

There are around 1.2 billion teenagers worldwide, according to a UNICEF report; 90% of them reside in poor nations, and 1 in 6 come from the least developed nations, with the South East Asia and Pacific region accounting for more than 50% of all adolescents worldwide. Adolescents make up less than 12% of the population in industrialized nations, whereas more than 1 in 5 people live in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the least developed nations.

 Indian Scenario

Adolescents made up 20% of the population in India, where there were 243 million of them, according to UNICEF’s report on “The state of the world’s children” (2011). With 243 million teenagers, India has the most teenagers in the country, followed by China with 207 million, the United States with 44 million, Indonesia, and Pakistan (both 41 million). Tamil Nadu has 6.4 million teenage boys and 6 million teenage girls, according to Youth Info Tamil Nadu. 

Menstruation

Between adolescence and menopause, menstruation is described as “the cyclic, hormonally generated sloughing of the uterine endometrium, which is followed by bloody vaginal discharge”. With an average duration of 28 days, it might last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. The menstrual cycle of a female occurs to enable oocyte release and to get the uterus ready for a potential pregnancy. 

Conceptual Background of Slums

Historically, the term “slum” has been used to refer to areas where people live in squalor and inhumane conditions. Slums vary in size and other aspects from one country to the next, but they all lack essential amenities like dependable law enforcement, clean water supply, dependable energy, and sanitation services. Slums develop and form a variety of reasons throughout the world. Many of the residents of slums are viewed as second-class citizens by their society and are among the poorest people in the world. Slums are neglected urban areas with horrendously subpar housing and living conditions, according to Cities Alliance (2006). In the literature, the terms “slum” and “informal settlements” are sometimes used interchangeably (UN Habitat, 2012).

One of the bad signs of development is the slum. It demonstrates the dearth of necessities. The number of urban centers is growing daily.The urban poor must dwell in slum regions due to heavy city congestion. The living conditions in these locations are subpar. Slums are currently referred to by a variety of names, including “Katras”, “Gallis”, or “Jhuggi-Jhopad Patti” in Delhi, “Chawls” in Mumbai, “Bustee” in Kolkata, “Cheris” in Chennai, “Ahatas” in Kanpur, and “Keris” in Banglore. Additionally, there are innumerable regional variations, such as “Aashawa” in Egypt and “Favelas” in Brazil and Southern Africa. Economists, municipal planners, social workers, administrators, sociologists, and others have all given their own unique definitions of what a slum is. Some definitions of slums include the following:

The definition of a slum, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, is “a residential neighborhood that is physically and socially depreciated and in which acceptable family life is difficult”. Unhealthy housing is a key indicator of slum conditions. Bad housing is defined as a home that lacks enough light, air, toilet, and bathing facilities; is in poor repair, dumpy, and badly heated; does not provide for family privacy; is a fire hazard; and is overcrowded, leaving no room for recreational usage”.

Bergel (1950)“Areas of poor housing standards might be referred to as slums in cities. A slum is always a neighborhood; even the worst-case scenario of one abandoned structure does not constitute a slum”.

As a result, a slum can be defined as a densely populated area with 60 to 70 households that is poorly built and crammed with tenements. In this environment, there is typically an unhygienic atmosphere due to inadequate infrastructure, a lack of adequate sanitary facilities, and a lack of amenities for drinking water.

Early Slums

Since 1947, slums have increased significantly. The growth of slums was primarily caused by two factors. India’s partition is one, and the industrial revolution that followed independence is another. Prior to 1950, slums were mainly located near factories, mills, etc. They lived in one-room tenements with largely industrial workers. Issues with health and service delivery in these regions emerged as the key ones. Instead of spreading further, the slum population began to increase in and around the cities. Slum populations rose to 18% from 1950 to 1968, experienced a significant increase in the 1970s, and by 1980, made up half of the population of the entire city.

Classification of Slums

Slum Classification According to the 2011 Indian Census

Slum areas in India are divided into three main categories based on the 2011 census data.They include the following:

1. Informed slums: All areas designated as “Slum” in a town or city by the state, the administration of the union territories, or local government pursuant to any Act, including a “Slum Act”, may be regarded as Notified Slums.

2. Identified slums: All locations that are the State, Union territory Administration or Local Government, Housing and Slum Boards have designated as “Slums”, even though they have not received an official notification under any law, are referred to as Recognized Sums.

3. Recognized slums: A densely populated region with at least 300 people, or roughly 60-70 homes in shoddily constructed cramped tenements, in an unsanitary environment typically with poor infrastructure and without enough sanitary and drinking water utilities such regions ought to be individually identified by the Charge Officer and inspected as well as a representative chosen by the Directorate of Census Operations. This information has to be properly entered in the charge register. These areas could be categorized as “Identified Slums”.

Slum Area Development

As a result of industrialization, many people have moved to urban areas in search of lucrative jobs. In the beginning, businesses did nothing to provide the laborers housing necessities. Employees desired to reside close to their workplaces. On agricultural lands that the government had purchased and distributed, the majority of industrialization occurred in the periphery of the central cities. The government acquired ownership of the agriculturalists tanks, canals, and other shared facilities. Governmental organizations lacked appropriate preparations for the quick implementation of these shared lands. As a result, there was minimal opposition from many sides, and the poorest neighborhoods built their temporary huts to serve as homes. Over time, an increasing number of individuals arrived to build their huts. These underprivileged folks lacked the resources to build substantial homes or large huts. Tanks, canals, and other basic agricultural facilities are used as slum areas in many cities’ industrial zones. The city denied being to blame for the haphazard expansion of hutments. There was no specific construction rules applied.

Above all, no housing was provided for these people. These slums have grown on locations that are completely unsuitable for human life.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the awareness and practices about menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of urban slums in Meerut city of Meerut district. This study is basically empirical in nature, and used primary and secondary data for analysis according to the objective set out in the study. Primary data have been collected through observation, interview and scheduled methods from the sample respondents using purposive sampling.Data were collected from the 100 respondents. Secondary data were collected from websites and subjects books,relevant journal, newspapers, magazines, article, academic institutes such as universities, colleges, and research institutions have been consulted also for collection of secondary data.

Area of Study

The study area is a recognized slum in Meerut district of the city of Meerut. Municipal Corporation, which is a part of Meerut Metropolitan Region, is in charge of Meerut City. One of the most significant districts is Meerut in Uttar Pradesh’s northwestern region between the Ganga and the Yamuna. Uttar Pradesh is located close to the capital city of Delhi. The study’s focus, Meerut City, located between 28.9845˚ N, latitude and 77.7064˚ E, longitude. It is located 290 meters above sea level. The majority of the city is built on fertile ground. According to preliminary census figures from India, there were 1,305,429 people living in Meerut City in 2011, with 688,118 men and 617,311 women. There are 92,034 slums in all of Meerut City, home to 544,859 people. This represents about 41.74% of Meerut’s whole population.

In the present empirical study analysis the awareness about menstrual hygiene and during menstruation, practices of hygienealso among adolescent girls in urban slums are examined in the current study. 100 respondents participated in the sample. The data were properly statistically examined, and the results were as follows:

Table-1: Awareness about menstrual hygiene

S. No.	Awareness about menstrual hygiene	No. of Respondents	Percentage
1.	Aware about menstruation before achieving menarche	06	06%
2.	Accurately understood that menstruation is a psychological process	08	08%
3.	Correctly understood that the uterus is the source of menstrual blood	13	13%
4.	Knew that 12-13 years is when menstruation usually starts	07	07%
5.	Knew that the average menstrual cycle lasts three to seven days	19	19%
6.	Awareness about that menstruation is best managed with the usage of sanitary pads	12	12%
7.	Awareness about the negative effects of unclean menstrual practices	15	15%
8.	Knew about menstrual cycle causes	09	09%
9.	Aware about interval of menstrual cycle	06	06%
10.	Awareness about menstrual absorbent	05	05%

The table over indicates that 06 respondents (06%) out of 100 respondents were aware about menstruation before achieving menarche. They learn about it through their mother and other sources, 08 respondents (08%) out of 100 respondents accurately understood that menstruation is a psychological process, 13 respondents (13%) out of 100 respondents correctly understood that the uterus is the source of menstrual blood, 07 respondents (07%) out of 100 respondents knew that 12-13 years is when menstruation usually starts, 19 respondents (19%) out of 100 respondents knew that the average menstrual cycle lasts three to seven days, 12 respondents (12%) out of 100 respondents were aware about that menstruation is best managed with the usage of sanitary pads, 15 respondents (15%) out of 100 respondents were aware about the negative effects of unclean menstrual practices, 09 respondents (09%)out of 100 respondents Knew about menstrual cycle causes, 06 respondents (06%) out of 100 respondents  were aware about interval of menstrual cycle, 05 respondents (05%) out of 100 respondents were aware about menstrual absorbent.

Hence, the largest segment of the respondents (19%) knew that the average menstrual cycle lasts three to seven days. 

Table-2: During menstruation, practices of hygiene

S.No.	During menstruation, practices of hygiene	No. of Respondents	Percentage
1.	Daily showers with soap while on period	12	12%
2.	Disposes of the used sanitary napkin properly	09	09%
3.	Reusing the absorbent material is not advised	06	06%
4.	Increases rest during periods	07	07%
5.	While menstruating, wear only clean clothing	11	11%
6.	Avoid going to places of worship when menstruating	09	09%
7.	During periods, uses sanitary napkins as an absorbent material	15	15%
8.	Avoid visiting someone else’s home	08	08%
9.	During menstruation, washes the external genitalia with water and soap	05	05%
10.	While menstruating, avoid cooking or going into the kitchen	18	18%

According to the table above 12 respondents (12%) out of 100 respondents daily showers with soap while on period, 09 respondents (09%) out of 100 respondents disposes of the used sanitary napkin properly, 06 respondents (06%) out of 100 respondents reusing the absorbent material is not advised, 07 respondents (07%) out of 100 respondents increases rest during periods, 11 respondents (11%) out of 100 respondents wear only clean clothing during menstruation, 09 respondents (09%)out of 100 respondents avoid going to places of worship when menstruating, 15 respondents (15%) out of 100 respondents during periods, uses sanitary napkins as an absorbent material, 08 respondents (08%) out of 100 respondents avoid visiting someone else’s home, 05 respondents (05%) out of 100 respondents during menstruation, washes the external genitalia with water and soap, 18 respondents (18%) out of 100 respondents while menstruating, avoid cooking or going into the kitchen.

Consequently, the largest segment of the respondents (18%) while menstruating, avoid cooking or going into the kitchen. They said that they were prohibited from using kitchens and cooking while they were on their periods. Other family members avoid eating the meals prepared by menstruating women since they are regarded as unclean. 

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