The Effectiveness of Different Cleaning Methods on the Microbial Load of Reusable Menstrual Pads
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47430/ujmr.2492.024Keywords:
Bacterial burden, Cleaning methods, Disinfection, Fungal load, Menstrual hygiene, Reusable menstrual padsAbstract
Study’s Excerpt:
• This study evaluates microbial load on reusable menstrual pads cleaned differently.
• Bacterial and fungal growth were assessed using microbiological analysis.
• Nutrient agar, chocolate agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar were used.
• Pads cleaned with detergent, disinfectant, and ironing had low microbial contamination.
• Pads washed with only water had a significantly higher microbial load.
Full Abstract:
Menstrual pads are essential hygiene products used to manage menstrual flow, ensuring comfort and dignity for menstruating individuals. Reusable menstrual pads are re-gaining popularity as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable ones. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of various cleaning methods in reducing the microbial load of reusable menstrual pads. A total of 26 samples from reusable menstrual pads were collected. The participants were directed to follow specific washing protocols as highlighted in recommendations by UNICEF (washing with water only, detergent only, bar soap only, detergent and disinfectant and detergent, disinfectant, and ironing). Samples (used reusable menstrual pads) were retrieved from participants to analyze any microbial presence on the pads themselves. Microbiological analysis was conducted to assess microbial growth on nutrient agar, chocolate agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results obtained showed low microbial load in 53.8% of the samples analyzed. All reusable menstrual pads (RMPs) washed with water only (5) were positive for bacterial culture with a count of > 100cfu/ml. Those washed with Viva detergent and May bar soap revealed a microbial count of 50-100cfu/ml. RMPs washed with Viva detergent and Dettol disinfectant, dried, and then ironed showed no significant growth or very low microbial counts compared to other cleaning methods (p-values: mesophilic bacteria, p = 0.009; molds, p = 0.009; anaerobic bacteria, p = 0.026; and Staphylococcus spp., p = 0.001). The predominant isolates are Staphylococcus species (26.9%), Lactobacillus species (26.9%), Candida species (19.2%), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (23%). The study revealed that reusable menstrual pads cleaned with water only had the highest microbial loads, while those cleaned with a combination of detergent, disinfectant, and ironing showed minimal to no microbial contamination, demonstrating this method as the most effective for ensuring hygiene and safety.
Downloads
References
Anaba, E. A., Udofia, E. A., Manu, A., Daniels, A. A., & Aryeetey, R. (2022). Use of reusable menstrual management materials and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Ghana: analysis of the 2017/18 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. BMC Women’s Health, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01670-9
Anderhell, M., & Sundberg, F. (2019). Washing and drying reusable sanitary pads. In Examensarbete Textilingenjör. University of Borås, Kenya.
Asumah, M. N., Abubakari, A., Aninanya, G. A., & Salisu, W. J. (2022). Perceived factors influencing menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls: a qualitative study in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 41, 146. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.146.33492
Briancesco, R., Paduano, S., Semproni, M., & Bonadonna, L. (2018). A study on the microbial quality of sealed products for feminine hygiene. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 59(3), E226–E229. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.3.920
Das, P., Baker, K. K., Dutta, A., Swain, T., Sahoo, S., Das, B. S., Panda, B., Nayak, A., Bara, M., Bilung, B., Mishra, P. R., Panigrahi, P., Cairncross, S., & Torondel, B. (2015). Menstrual Hygiene Practices, WASH Access and the Risk of Urogenital Infection in Women from Odisha, India. PubMed Central, 10(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130777
Hand, J., Hwang, C., Vogel, W., Lopez, C., & Hwang, S. (2023). An exploration of market organic sanitary products for improving menstrual health and environmental impact. Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 13(2), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2023.020
Hennegan, J., Dolan, C., Steinfield, L., & Montgomery, P. (2017). A qualitative understanding of the effects of reusable sanitary pads and puberty education: implications for future research and practice. Reproductive Health, 14(1), 78. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-017-0339-9
Kumie, A., Tekalegn, Y., Woldeyohannes, D., & Agho, K. E. (2022). Menstrual hygiene practice among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed Central, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262295
Parikh, V., & Nagar, S. (2022). Menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls studying in a university of Gujarat. PubMed Central, 11(7), 3607–3612. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2303_21
Pednekar, S., Some, S., Rivankar, K., & Thakore, R. (2022). Enabling factors for sustainable menstrual hygiene management practices: a rapid review. Discover Sustainability, 3(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-022-00097-4
Roxburgh, H., Hampshire, K., Kaliwo, T., Tilley, E. A., Oliver, D. M., & Quilliam, R. S. (2020). Power, danger, and secrecy-A socio-cultural examination of menstrual waste management in urban Malawi. PloS One, 15(6), e0235339. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235339
Shibly, M. M. H., Hossain, M. A., Hossain, M. F., Nur, M. G., & Hossain, M. B. (2021). Development of biopolymer-based menstrual pad and quality analysis against commercial merchandise. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00504-2
UNICEF. (2020). Guide to Menstrual Hygiene Materials. 38.
US Pharmacopoeia. (2016). MICROBIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF NONSTERILE PRODUCTS: ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS AND SUBSTANCES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL USE (Vol. 33, Issue 2).
Veeh, R. H., Shirtliff, M. E., Petik, J. R., Flood, J. A., Davis, C. C., Seymour, J. L., Hansmann, M. A., Kerr, K. M., Pasmore, M. E., & Costerton, J. W. (2003). Detection of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm on tampons and menses components. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 188(4), 519–530. https://doi.org/10.1086/377001
Warashinta, D., Astari, A., & Merdikawati, A. (2021). Analysis of the Use of Menstrual Pad, Tampons, and Menstrual Cup During Menarche. Journal of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, 1(2), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jochapm.2021.001.02.4
World Bank Group. (2023). Changing the Lives of Women and Girls through Affordable Feminine Hygiene Products. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://menstrualhygieneday.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/WB_Health-Female-Hygiene-Case_Jun21.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Amina Suleiman Rajah, Umar Yunusa, Tashi, F. T., Tukuntawa, A. S., Abdullahi, S. O.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
