study of practices during a menstruation among women in three different ethnic groups in Surin Province

Abstract

        This qualitative research aimed to study the practice during menstruation among Surin’s women in three ethnic groups. The sample was selected by convenience in total of 15 women who clarified themselves in three different ethnic groups which were Khmer, Suay, and Laos. Data were collected by semi-structures questionnaire which was developed by researcher. Data were analyzed by using content analysis.

         Research finding were summarized as followed. Ages of subjects were reproductive age (53.33 %), married (66.67%), and employed (33.33 %). The first of menstruation age were  12  years old (39.99%), 14 years old (33.32%), and 13  years  old (19.99 %), respectively . .Among these, they stated similar practices during menstruation which can categorized into  5 themes. Firstly, for maintaining the cleanliness of the body, they took a bath 2 – 3 times a  day and change tampons 2-5 times per day. They were not shampoo since they believed that it will cause blood clots and stop menstruation. Secondly, nutritional during menstruation have some changes. They usually ate foods that were spicy and sour taste. They will take the cold such as ice, cool water, cucumber and water melon because they have a believe that this will make menstrual disorders. They will not take coconut water since they believed that coconut water will cause a dysmenorrhea. Thirdly, among these three ethnic groups they will not have any exercise during menstruation. Fourthly, they will not have any sex during menstruation. They believed that it caused infection easily. Last but least, since there were a set of menstrual symptoms such as menstrual pain, lumbago, breast engorgement, dizziness, irritability, and mood changes, most of them stated that they