Analisis Perilaku tentang Pola Penggunaan dan Pembuangan Sampah Pembalut pada Mahasiswi Keperawatan Universitas Sumatera Utara Tahun 2024

Abstract

Disposable sanitary pads are one of the menstrual hygiene tools used by Indonesian women. These pads have a negative impact on environmental health due to the chemical components and plastic materials they contain, which make them take 500 to 800 years to decompose. The chemical contents of disposable sanitary pads can produce dioxins when burned and release methane gas when exposed to sunlight. The purpose of this study is to analyze the behavior regarding the patterns of use and disposal of sanitary pads waste among nursing student Universitas Sumatera Utara in 2024. This research is a descriptive study. The sampling technique used in this study is accidental sampling, with a sample size of 81 students. The results show that 60 (74.1%) of the students are aged between 20 to 22 years old, with the age of menarche ranging from 9 to 16 years old, resulting in a sanitary pad usage period of 6 to 13 years. Additionally, 77 (95.1%) of the students use disposable sanitary pads. The behavior, which includes knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the usage and disposal of sanitary pad waste among the students, is in the less favorable category. It is necessary to approach and educate the students on the proper use and disposal of sanitary pads and provide an understanding of the chemicals contained in disposable sanitary pads to make more informed choices.