AN ONLINE SURVEY STUDY ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND ITS UTILIZATION

were Methodology:-Online survey was conduct among the college students to know their sanitary napkin usage, problems faced and preference toward new product; during and after menstrual cycle. The aim of this work is to identify the various pros and cons that occur due to the available sanitary napkins and other products. A Google form was generated with 25 questions focusing on various aspects such as usage-time taken for the changing the napkins [9] , number of napkins required per day, type of absorbency they use , brand they prefer [8] and the disposal method they follow. The survey also question on preference and problems of women during menstrual cycle. The questions were also asked for preferences toward new product, level of absorbency and herbal finishes on the existing product. A few questions were raised to know the problems such as sensitive to the product, problem of itching during and after menstrual cycle.The survey conducted among 70 college going students who have the knowledge on the various brands available in the market.The response received were record in the results.

In today's world, women's cleanliness and hygiene are extremely essential, and they must be taken care off. Women are always afraid or hesitant to buy napkins from places other than their homes, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and other markets [1] .Menstruation may be a normal a part of life. However, it has been ignored in all markets, as well as at the individual level, for decades [2] .The menstrual discharge can be absorbed by the sanitary napkins. Menstrual manuals for women and teenage girls during menarche and menopause must include a sanitary napkin [3] .The functional requirement of a female hygiene product is to absorb and retain the menstrual fluid in order that back tracking of fluid does not happen and at the equivalent time it should be odour free [4] . Feminine hygiene cause serious problems to the women if not managed properly. Women and girls around the world have built their own personal methods for dealing with menstruation. Individual interests, available capital, economic status, local customs and cultural values and expertise or education all influence these factors. Women often treat menstruation with strategies that could damage them as a result of these restrictions [5] .
Commercially available products in market are sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, reusable cloth pads, and herbal finished napkins. Low-income women use a variety of products as adsorbents during menstruation, ranging from reusable towels to commercially available disposable sanitary pads [6] .Menstruation begins at puberty and is a normal part of the female reproductive cycle. Bad menstrual hygiene has been linked to serious health problems; including infections in reproductive tract and urinary tract [7] .Companies that make commercial sanitary products must make products with less chemical and plastic material. Pads made out of fibers such as bamboo, banana, water hyacinth and sea sponge all should be encouraged for developing new products with no side effects [10].

Methodology:-
Online survey was conduct among the college students to know their sanitary napkin usage, problems faced and preference toward new product; during and after menstrual cycle. The aim of this work is to identify the various pros and cons that occur due to the available sanitary napkins and other products. A Google form was generated with 25 questions focusing on various aspects such as usage-time taken for the changing the napkins [9] , number of napkins required per day, type of absorbency they use , brand they prefer [8] and the disposal method they follow. The survey also question on preference and problems of women during menstrual cycle. The questions were also asked for preferences toward new product, level of absorbency and herbal finishes on the existing product. A few questions were raised to know the problems such as sensitive to the product, problem of itching during and after menstrual cycle.The survey conducted among 70 college going students who have the knowledge on the various brands available in the market.The response received were record in the results.

Result and Discussion:-
The results of the survey were presented in the figure 1 -14. The questions raised and the responses were presented as results in the form of figures. Q 1. How many napkins you required per day?

Conclusion:-
From the findings of online survey, it was reported that majority of the respondents are aware of napkins. This type of survey showcases the physical and mental imbalances that women undergo during their menstrual phase. Since most of women are doing their higher education and employed, the study was conduct between the age group of 17 to 25 and it was identified from the survey, 72% of women says that sanitary pad dispensing machines are available in work environment. Among the various products and brands available to satisfy the needs of menstrual cycle of a women most of them prefer disposable sanitary pad especially they prefer the brand whisper. There are few respondents preferring some alternative products with herbal coating, fragmented and thinner napkins. Hence, from the survey it is concluded that if there is an alternative product without any side effects people will be ready to buy new menstrual hygiene products. Sanitary pad dispensing machines are available for women at work place and study, the survey reports that 72% women says available and 20% says that still it is not available for them.