Menstrual hygiene management in visually impaired women

Sense of sight is necessary for correct management of menstrual hygiene. Nurses to know their practices regarding menstrual hygiene of visually impaired important in order to give them their education and protect health. This research was conducted in order to determine menstrual hygiene management of visually impaired women. The population of the study was consisted of 522 visually impaired women who subscribers to the Altı Nokta Körler Derneği Kibele Dergisi. Sampling method known the population is used in determining sample. The research was conducted as a descriptive study with 187 visually impaired women who suscribers of the journal. The purposive sampling is used in the selection of the sample.The data were collected by telephone interview method through questionnaire. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and the Mann Whitney U test. It was determined that 61,5% of visually impaired women in the study had information about menstrual hygiene management and they received the information mostly from their mothers and schools. It was determined that 95,7% of participants used hygienic pad and 52,4% changed pad less than 4 times a day, 25,1% wash their hands both before and after the toilet, 43,9% did to wrong the genital area cleanup and 33,2% didn't bath. It was determined 52,9% of the women received support for menstrual hygiene management. Also determined that among the subjects supported the material supply, the situation of blood contamination of the clothes, and the decision to beginin/ending menstruation, the support was taken from the most mothers. It was determined that the women in the sampling used some determinants to detect the beginning and end of menstruation. The notice the smell of the blood and follow the period of menstruation are the some of the determinants used to understand onset and end of menstruation. 36,4% of women stated that they changed the daily life of the menstruation period and 51,5% stated that they had to choose dark clothes during this period. It was determined that social environment of 34,8% of the women were asking a questions about the menstruation period and 60% were uncomfortable/dislike with the question. It has been determined in the study that visually impairment women are not at the desired level of menstrual hygiene practices, using different markers to sense the beginning and ending menstruation, about half can not manage this period independently and menstruation period of some women affect their social lives. Nurses and other health professionals should develop appopirate to their disable training materials, research planning and planned training in order to improve the menstrual hygiene practices of visually impaired women and to be able to manage their periods independently.