The condition of women frequently changing sanitary pads in 28 cities of China: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aims to fill the gap in understanding the frequency of changing sanitary pads and the key factors associated with this practice among women in China.

Methods: Using a convenient sampling approach, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a quota sampling method to survey women from 28 cities in China between October 21 and 31, 2020. Basic demographic characteristics, personal hygiene habits, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and disease status were collected. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with the frequency of changing sanitary pads.

Results: A total of 1682 respondents were included in this study. The condition of frequently changing sanitary pads was divided into three groups: "Not taken" (224 respondents, 13.32%), "Short-term taken" (330 respondents, 19.62%), and "Long-term taken" (1128 respondents, 67.06%). Multiple logistic analysis revealed that women who performed "long-term taken" cleaning up rubbish timely (OR = 22.89, P < 0.05), "long-term taken" regular breast self-examination (OR = 19.46, P < 0.05), "long-term taken" actively obtaining scientific contraception methods (OR = 7.40, P < 0.05), as well as those with higher health-related quality of life (OR = 33.72, P < 0.05), were more likely to perform "long-term taken" frequently changing sanitary pads. Conversely, women with chronic diseases (OR = 0.48, P < 0.05) and those aged 31-40 (OR = 0.44, P < 0.05) were less likely to perform the "long-term taken" frequently changing sanitary pads during menstruation.

Conclusions: Most Chinese women practice good menstrual health management and frequently change their sanitary pads. However, there are still some women whose sanitary pad changing practices fall short of expectations. Multiple factors have been found to be associated with the frequency of changing sanitary pads. Based on the research results, healthcare institutions, schools, and the government can more effectively screen, assess, and support women who face menstrual health issues, thereby improving the overall level of menstrual hygiene management.