Socio-cultural aspects and women’s perceptions on Menstrual Regulation and Menstrual Regulation services in Bangladesh – An Anthropological study

Introduction: Around 68,000 deaths occur worldwide due to unsafe abortions while 97% of these deaths occur in developing countries. It is estimated that 25% of all clients are refused services in Bangladesh for various reasons.
Methods: The research was carried out between March 2009-October 2011 in 4 districts of Bangladesh. Methods included in-depth interviews with women (53) having MRs or attempted MRs and focus group discussions (24) with younger and older males and females of reproductive age.
Results: MR was viewed as sin from religious and social perspectives. This perception often resulted in huge delays in seeking MRs (i.e. beyond six months of gestation) and often led to clandestine careseeking from different formal and informal biomedical and traditional providers. Careseeking data showed around 61% of all careseeking was from non-formal sector, which included pharmacists, paramedics, homeopaths, herbalists, TBAs, other informal providers, and home remedies. Out of this non-formal careseeking, around 44% was with pharmacists and other informal providers, while 24% was with traditional providers.
Conclusion: Menstrual regulation is a professed need for women and their families. Judging from this context, it is important that policy makers try to create a better atmosphere for women to avail safe MR services.