International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

Menstrual health and rights are increasingly recognised as not just a woman’s issue. However, there is limited research, including in India, on boys’ and men’s roles in enhancing menstrual health management, especially in resource-poor settings. Our study aims to explore the knowledge and attitudes held by unmarried boys and young men and the support they provide to their mothers and sisters in a disadvantaged urban setting. Data come from a larger study undertaken in the slums of Mumbai that aimed to assess menstrual health management. This particular study used data from the survey of boys and young men aged 15-24 years to understand the factors associated with the support that boys and men extend to their mothers and sisters during periods. Findings suggest that knowledge about menstruation is poor and attitudes remain largely traditional. Those with a better understanding of menstruation and those who do not perceive menstruation to be impure were more likely than others to support mothers and sisters. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive sexuality education to include boys and young men and apprise them about menstruation-related matters and build progressive attitudes to encourage them in supporting women and girls to manage menstruation effectively.