Role of communication-An analytical study of the impact of development programmes in a Slum (Kacchi Basti, Jaipur) with regard of usage of sanitary pads

A number of programmes have recently been initiated to popularise the use of sanitary pads among poor women in developing countries. In this light, we review the prevailing menstrual care. We also report findings from a study amongst women in the slums of Jaipur. We find high usage of sanitary pads (16%), suggesting that development initiatives have percolated down to the urban poor. Furthermore, we find that although a large number of cloth users (84%) are willing to change practice, an overwhelming number of them (94%) elicit a preference for reusable cloth pads. This suggests a disengagement with public policy discourses on menstrual care that have so far focused singularly on promotion of sanitary pads. We drew upon these results to comment on better sanitary care for women slum dwellers in a rapidly urbanising context.