Indigenous Hygiene Practices among Married Rural Women in Bangladesh: Cultural Practices, Health Challenges and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Hygiene practice of women is a critical determinant of public health, reproductive well-being, and gender equality; however, indigenous hygiene practices among married women in rural Bangladesh remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to examine the indigenous hygiene practices in rural areas, identify the socio-cultural and environmental factors influencing these practices, assess their implications for women’s health, and propose evidence-based policy recommendations for culturally responsive hygiene promotion. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining a quantitative survey of 220 married rural women with 25 in-depth case studies and three FGDs conducted in the randomly selected 4 rural area of Sylhet and Rajshahi districts of Bangladesh. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis and integrated using methodological triangulation. The survey findings revealed that indigenous hygiene practices remain widely practiced, with family traditions, mothers-in-law, and religious beliefs emerging as the strongest determinants. Positive associations were observed between safe indigenous hygiene practices and improved health outcomes among women. The case studies further demonstrated that indigenous hygiene knowledge is primarily transmitted through intergenerational family practices and that women are increasingly combining traditional knowledge with modern health information. The FGDs confirmed that while beneficial indigenous practices should be preserved, harmful customs related to menstruation, postpartum care, and hygiene misconceptions require culturally sensitive behavioral change interventions. The participants consistently emphasized the need for family-centered hygiene education, improved access to hygiene facilities, and stronger community participation. The study recommends the formulation of a National Women’s Hygiene and Health Promotion Policy, integration of culturally appropriate hygiene education into primary healthcare, expansion of community-based awareness programs, strengthened research on women’s hygiene, and multi-sectoral collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, INGOs, universities, and community organizations. By bridging indigenous knowledge with evidence-based public health practices, this study contributes to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The findings provide valuable evidence for policymakers, public health professionals, gender and social development practitioners, government and non-government organizations, researchers, and academic institutions seeking to develop culturally responsive women’s health and hygiene interventions in rural Bangladesh.