Abstract:
Background: - Menstrual cups are small, reusable devices that sit inside the vagina to collect blood
during menstruation. Menstrual cup is a better alternative to the current methods of menstrual sanitation
as it is durable, eco- friendly, comfortable, safe, and economic, have no need for frequent changing in a
day and have no disposal issues. Nonetheless, little is known regarding the knowledge of environmentally
friendly, economical, easy-to-use hygiene product menstrual cups among female health professionals in
Ethiopia.
Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the Menstrual Cup Knowledge and Associated factors
among female health professionals in ALERT Specialized Comprehensive Hospital, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 2023.
Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 female health professionals
in the ALERT Specialized Comprehensive Hospital. Study participants were selected by a simple random
sampling method from March 01 to 30, 2023. Data were collected using pretested, structured, and
interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 3.1 and then exported
to SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize descriptive data. Binary logistic
regression analysis was computed and variables with p-value < 0.25, in bivariable logistic regression were
considered candidates for multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95%
confidence intervals were estimated to identify the association. Statistical significance was declared at a
p-value <0.05
Results: Out of 422 health professionals who were expected to participate, 410 participated, giving a
97.1% response rate. About 318, 95% CI (75.4 %) study participants had a poor knowledge about
menstrual cup. The study revealed that being married (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.21– 2.85), age group
between 40 and 49 (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.28 – 6.55, not hearing about menstrual cup from media (AOR
= 3.08, 95% CI: 1.52–6.24,) and working in other department rather than Obstetrics and Gynecology
department (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.26 –4.36) were factors associated with poor knowledge about
menstrual cup.
Conclusion: About ¾th of participants had poor knowledge about menstrual cups. The age of respondents,
marital status, working unit, and hearing about menstrual cups from the media were significantly
associated with poor menstrual cup knowledge in this study. The study highlights the need for education
and promotion of menstrual cups as a better alternative to disposable men
