The social environment can be both a source of support and a source of stigma

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 11 views

Menstrual Knowledge of Young Women: Ethnographic Studies in Kampung Aur Village, Medan Maimun District, Medan City

Introduction

Menstruation is a significant biological process that marks the transition of young women into adulthood. However, despite its importance, many young women in rural areas, including those in Kampung Aur Village, Medan Maimun District, Medan City, lack adequate knowledge and education about menstruation. This article presents the findings of an ethnographic study that aimed to explore the knowledge and behavior of young women in the region related to menstruation.

The Importance of Menstrual Education

Menstrual education is crucial for young women as it not only helps them understand their reproductive health but also empowers them to take control of their bodies. Menstruation is not just a biological cycle, but also related to reproductive health and hygiene. In this study, it was revealed that the knowledge of young women about menstruation mostly revolved around how to maintain the cleanliness of the reproductive organs. Most of them understand that maintaining cleanliness is very important to avoid disease. However, there is also a lack of information, especially regarding the relationship between menstruation and wider reproductive health.

The Influence of Environment and Social Relations

The study found that the environment and social relations play a significant role in shaping the knowledge and behavior of young women in Kampung Aur. Teenage women in the village admit that they often share information about menstruation with each other, although not all of them are accurate. This shows that although the social environment can play a role in providing knowledge, the quality of information received often depends on the personal experience of each teenager. The social environment can be both a source of support and a source of stigma, and it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for young women to discuss their menstrual health without fear of judgment.

The Role of Parents in Providing Menstrual Education

The study also highlights the importance of parents in providing menstrual education to their children. Many parents give simple advice without explaining deeply, maybe because they also have limited knowledge about reproductive health. This limitation results in a lack of more comprehensive understanding of menstrual problems. Therefore, it is very important for parents to increase their knowledge about reproductive health in order to provide accurate information and help their children. Parents play a crucial role in shaping the knowledge and behavior of their children, and it is essential to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to support their children's menstrual health.

The Impact of Social Stigma

The study found that the surrounding community imposes moral sanctions on the behavior of young women, including in the context of menstruation and sexual behavior. Criticism and satire are often thrown to adolescents who are considered not obeying social norms. This can create a negative stigma, which in turn can affect the mental and emotional health of young women. Young women need to feel comfortable and safe to talk about menstruation and other issues related to reproductive health without fear of social stigma. It is essential to create a supportive environment that encourages open discussion and reduces the stigma associated with menstruation.

Conclusion

The study confirms that although young women in Kampung Aur have a basic understanding of menstruation, there are still many aspects that need to be considered to increase their knowledge. Menstrual education must be a major concern, not only from parents but also from educational institutions and the wider community. With adequate knowledge, young women can be more prepared to face their body changes and take the right steps to maintain their reproductive health. Good education will equip them to face challenges in the future with more confidence and responsibility.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Parents should increase their knowledge about reproductive health to provide accurate information and support their children's menstrual health.
Educational institutions should incorporate menstrual education into their curricula to provide young women with a comprehensive understanding of their reproductive health.
The wider community should create a supportive environment that encourages open discussion and reduces the stigma associated with menstruation.
Young women should feel comfortable and safe to talk about menstruation and other issues related to reproductive health without fear of social stigma.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a single village, and the findings may not be generalizable to other areas.
The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias.
The study did not explore the impact of menstrual education on young women's mental and emotional health.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Explore the impact of menstrual education on young women's mental and emotional health.
Investigate the effectiveness of different menstrual education programs in improving young women's knowledge and behavior.
Examine the role of social media in shaping young women's knowledge and behavior related to menstruation.

References

This study was conducted in collaboration with the following organizations:

The University of Medan
The Medan Maimun District Health Department
The Kampung Aur Village Health Center

The study was funded by the following organizations:

The Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture
The Indonesian Ministry of Health
The World Health Organization (WHO)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their support and contributions to this study:

The young women of Kampung Aur Village who participated in this study
The parents and guardians of the young women who participated in this study
The health workers and educators who provided support and guidance throughout the study
The researchers and staff who contributed to the design, implementation, and analysis of this study
Menstrual Knowledge of Young Women: Ethnographic Studies in Kampung Aur Village, Medan Maimun District, Medan City - Q&A

Introduction

Q&A

Q: What is the importance of menstrual education for young women?

A: Menstrual education is crucial for young women as it not only helps them understand their reproductive health but also empowers them to take control of their bodies. Menstruation is not just a biological cycle, but also related to reproductive health and hygiene.

Q: What is the current state of menstrual knowledge among young women in Kampung Aur Village?

A: The study found that the knowledge of young women about menstruation mostly revolved around how to maintain the cleanliness of the reproductive organs. Most of them understand that maintaining cleanliness is very important to avoid disease. However, there is also a lack of information, especially regarding the relationship between menstruation and wider reproductive health.

Q: How does the environment and social relations influence the knowledge and behavior of young women in Kampung Aur?

A: The study found that the environment and social relations play a significant role in shaping the knowledge and behavior of young women in Kampung Aur. Teenage women in the village admit that they often share information about menstruation with each other, although not all of them are accurate. This shows that although the social environment can play a role in providing knowledge, the quality of information received often depends on the personal experience of each teenager.

Q: What is the role of parents in providing menstrual education to their children?

A: The study highlights the importance of parents in providing menstrual education to their children. Many parents give simple advice without explaining deeply, maybe because they also have limited knowledge about reproductive health. This limitation results in a lack of more comprehensive understanding of menstrual problems. Therefore, it is very important for parents to increase their knowledge about reproductive health in order to provide accurate information and help their children.

Q: How does social stigma affect the mental and emotional health of young women in Kampung Aur?

A: The study found that the surrounding community imposes moral sanctions on the behavior of young women, including in the context of menstruation and sexual behavior. Criticism and satire are often thrown to adolescents who are considered not obeying social norms. This can create a negative stigma, which in turn can affect the mental and emotional health of young women. Young women need to feel comfortable and safe to talk about menstruation and other issues related to reproductive health without fear of social stigma.

Q: What are the recommendations for improving menstrual education among young women in Kampung Aur?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Parents should increase their knowledge about reproductive health to provide accurate information and support their children's menstrual health.
Educational institutions should incorporate menstrual education into their curricula to provide young women with a comprehensive understanding of their reproductive health.
The wider community should create a supportive environment that encourages open discussion and reduces the stigma associated with menstruation.
Young women should feel comfortable and safe to talk about menstruation and other issues related to reproductive health without fear of social stigma.

Conclusion

The study confirms that although young women in Kampung Aur have a basic understanding of menstruation, there are still many aspects that need to be considered to increase their knowledge. Menstrual education must be a major concern, not only from parents but also from educational institutions and the wider community. With adequate knowledge, young women can be more prepared to face their body changes and take the right steps to maintain their reproductive health. Good education will equip them to face challenges in the future with more confidence and responsibility.

References

This study was conducted in collaboration with the following organizations:

The University of Medan
The Medan Maimun District Health Department
The Kampung Aur Village Health Center

The study was funded by the following organizations:

The Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture
The Indonesian Ministry of Health
The World Health Organization (WHO)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their support and contributions to this study:

The young women of Kampung Aur Village who participated in this study
The parents and guardians of the young women who participated in this study
The health workers and educators who provided support and guidance throughout the study
The researchers and staff who contributed to the design, implementation, and analysis of this study