Objective : To ascertain the perceptions and experiences of women regarding menstruation. Methods : An integrated qualitative and quantitative study on reproductive health of Indian women was conducted in two primary health centre areas of rural north India. Present article reports on the perceptions of 1205 women regarding various aspects of menstruation. Results : Major source of information about menarche/menstruation was friends/relatives (72%). Mean age at menarche was ~ 15 years. Very few women (0.4%) used sanitary napkins. Majority of women had strong beliefs about effect of diet on menstruation. Most of them considered menstruation a dirty act and indulged in various taboo behaviours. Initial reaction was of fear/apprehension at menarche in majority of girls. Conclusion: Women in rural north India still hold tranditional beliefs regarding menstruation. Provision of a balanced and healthy family health education package to all girls is recommended.

Objective : To find out the prevalence of RTIs among women of reproductive age group. Study design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting and Participants : Women of reproductive age group in 25 Municipal Wards of Shimla City. Study period : March 1999 to October 1999. Sample size : 600 women between 15-49 years age. Study variables : Education, marital status, age at marriage, socioeconomic status, menstrual hygiene practices, contraceptive practices, parity. Results : The study was undertaken based on syndromic approach for RTIs. Based on the complaints of the patients, laboratory investigations were also undetaken. Overall prevalence of RTIs was found to be 36.3% and this prevalence was significantly related to mean age at the marriage, marital status, parity, menstrual hygiene practices, current contraceptive method use and socioeconomic status.