Relación entre el nivel socioeconómico y el grado de conocimiento del ciclo menstrual en estudiantes universitarias.

Abstract

Knowledge about the menstrual cycle is a crucial aspect of reproductive health, especially for young women in their university years. Despite its importance, the level of knowledge on this topic can vary significantly depending on socioeconomic context, which may impact women's long-term health and well-being. This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and menstrual cycle knowledge among university students at UEES, UCSG, UG, and the University of Cuenca. An analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted with a sample of 122 students aged 18 to 25 years. The "Knowledge Female Body" (KFB) scale was used to assess the level of knowledge women have about their own bodies, specifically in relation to anatomical, physiological, and reproductive health aspects. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected through structured surveys and analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, and Chi-square tests to determine significant associations. The results indicated that 47.5% of the students were from UEES, 68.9% were between 20 and 29 years old, and 93.4% identified as mestizo. Regarding family income, 38.5% reported incomes between 2-3 SBGU. Only 27% knew when their next menstrual period would be. Menstrual cycle knowledge was significantly higher among students with higher family incomes (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between socioeconomic status and the KFB scale score (r = 0.45, p < 0.01). It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between socioeconomic status and the level of menstrual cycle knowledge among university students. These findings suggest the need for specific educational programs to address disparities in menstrual knowledge, particularly aimed at students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, to improve menstrual and reproductive health in this population.