LUCKNOW, May 29 -- Include menstrual education in school curriculum to provide scientific knowledge to all girls, ensure clean toilets, water, dustbins, and incinerators in schools, offices, and public places and provide free or subsidised sanitary products to poor women to encourage menstrual hygiene among rural and poor segments of the society. Those were some of the suggestions made by experts on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed across the state capital on Wednesday. Chief medical superintendent of Jhalkari Bai Maternity Hospital, Nivedita Kar, emphasised to launch awareness campaigns to promote affordable and sustainable products like menstrual cups, organise community dialogue and workshops to replace shame and hesitation with scientific thinking, and promote biodegradable options and safe disposal of used products. Faculty member at KGMU's Queen Mary Hospital, Dr Sujata Deo, said that a survey report carried out on the sample size of 200 girls, aged between 10 and 24 years, highlighted that while awareness is increasing, the lack of facilities, social and cultural barriers, and misconceptions continue to pose significant challenges. Dr Deo is also a Nodal officer of center of excellence for adolescent health and development. Sharing further details, she stated that around 52.5% had no prior knowledge, while around 47.5% of adolescent girls were aware of menstruation before their first period. She said nearly 73% of girls use disposable sanitary pads, around 21.5% use cloth pads, and only 5.5% use menstrual cups. She informed that they faced different health issues while sharing about difficulties faced by these group of girls. She stated that around 53% experience rashes, itching, and skin irritations, with 37.5% from rural areas....