臺灣年輕女性經期健康與其經期貧窮：影響因素和衝擊

Abstract

背景 全球有數百萬人面臨經期健康不足的困擾。所謂的「經期健康」係指人在月經週期中達到完全健康的狀態。若月經者 (menstruator) 缺乏經期健康，則會對其身心健康、就業狀況、教育成果和社交造成危害。然而，在東亞地區，有關經期健康、其相關因素和影響的資訊相對缺乏。故本探索性研究欲填補此研究缺口，針對易因經期而在工作和學校出缺勤方面有所影響之年輕族群作探討。 方法 分析樣本為121名15至21歲，完成本研究所規劃之橫斷性網路調查者。所調查之影響因素包括個人因素 (如原住民身份、收入、地區和月經知識)、社會因素 (如汙名或自在討論月經的程度)， 和物理因素 (如經期特徵或生理用品)。另外，本研究亦針對環境因素進行探討，以了解研究樣本對洗手間設施的看法。本研究將自覺經期健康和月經貧窮作為主要研究變項，並以出缺勤、生產力損失和社交脫節作為其影響結果。在分析方法方面，本研究使用Stata進行統計分析，以概述統計量 (summary statistics)、雙變項分析(bivariate analysis) 與線性迴歸 (linear regression) 探討自覺經期健康、月經貧窮之相關因素與影響。 結果 本研究結果顯示，僅有11.6%的研究對象曾經歷月經貧窮。另外，年齡、居住地區和污名，與經期健康有顯著相關。本研究亦發現，絕大多數的研究對象「相信月經是生活中正常且健康的一部分（95.9%）」。在生理用品方面，多數研究樣本使用衛生棉（97.5%），且曾經歷過月經副作用（99.2%）。最後，因月經引起的情緒失調和洗手間設施的品質，為經期健康的重要影響因素。 討論 本研究發現，臺灣的經期健康問題複雜且獨特，並對出缺勤、生產力損失及社交脫節有所影響。本研究結果不僅可作為未來相關介入和研究之參考，亦有助於改善月經汙名及經期健康不平等的情況，並能對經期管理提供幫助。

Background Globally, millions of girls, women, and others suffer from inadequate menstrual health. Menstrual health is the state of complete well-being in relation to one’s menstrual cycle. When menstrual health is lacking, menstruators suffer from worse physical and psychological health, employment status, education outcomes, and social engagement. There is a paucity of information on menstrual health, related factors, and their impact in East Asia. This exploratory study fills this gap and focuses on youth, a group especially vulnerable to school and work absenteeism. Methods One hundred and twenty-one participants, aged 15 to 21 years, completed a cross-sectional electronic survey in Mandarin. Sampled characteristics included individual factors such as indigenous status, income, region, and menstrual knowledge. Additionally, social factors, like perceived stigma and comfort discussing menstruation, and physical factors, like menstrual characteristics and period product usage, were assessed. Furthermore, the study explored environmental factors by examining participants' perception of bathroom facilities. Perceived menstrual health and period poverty were investigated as key variables, and absenteeism, productivity loss, and social disengagement as other outcomes. All analysis was conducted using Stata. Summary statistics and the results of bivariate analysis and linear regressions were used to examine the associations between covariates, perceived menstrual health, period poverty, and other outcomes. Results The results showed meaningful relationships between menstrual health and covariates such as age, region of residence and stigma and a low prevalence of period poverty (11.6%). The belief that menstruation is a normal and healthy part of life (95.9%), menstrual pad usage (97.5%), and the presence of menstrual side-effects (99.2%) were all overwhelming. Emotional dysregulation of menstruation and quality of bathroom facilities were especially important in models predicting menstrual health and outcomes. Discussion In conclusion, menstrual health in Taiwan is complex and unique, with significant implications for absenteeism, productivity loss, and social disengagement. This study lends support for possible future interventions and research into countering specific menstrual stigmas, correcting regional disparities, and providing adequate menstruation management support.