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. 2023 May 4:11:1102016.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1102016. eCollection 2023.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells among female healthcare workers in India

Karuna Nidhi Kaur  1 , Dhruva Nandi  2 , Krithika Ramachandran  2 , Lita Mohanan  3 , S Subhashini  2 , Mehak Segan  1 , Saswaty Tripathy  2 , Rajiv Janardhanan  2
Affiliations

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells among female healthcare workers in India

Karuna Nidhi Kaur et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent progenitor cells that can be differentiated into a variety of specialized cell types. Menstrual blood, such as umbilical cord blood and bone marrow stem cells, is a rich source of MSCs with proliferative properties. This research was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual blood donation regarding menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) among female healthcare workers in India.

Methodology: A cross-sectional online and offline survey was conducted at the national level between 20 November 2021 and 10 March 2022. A self-constructed semi-structured questionnaire was distributed through Google Forms on various social media platforms. The questionnaire was self-administered, and data were collected using the purposive sampling technique.

Results: A total of 499 respondents completed the questionnaire. Nearly 49% of the respondents had adequate knowledge, 54% showed a positive attitude, and 45% reported adequate practices regarding menstrual blood donation and the usage of related products. The educational background, occupational status, and monthly income of the participants were found to be significantly associated with their attitude toward MenSCs.

Conclusion: There is a need to promote interactive sessions on MenSCs among healthcare professionals in order to bridge the gap between general populations and the healthcare setting. Enhancing knowledge and awareness regarding the potential benefits of MenSCs would help in dissipating the age-old myths associated with menstruation and will benefit society as a whole.

Keywords: India; health care profession; mesenchymal stem cells; public health; stem cell; women health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Knowledge, attitude, and practice level among respondents regarding menstrual blood-derived stem cells. This figure depicts the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice among 499 respondents toward MenSCs. In total, 49% of the respondents had an adequate knowledge level, 54% showed a positive attitude, and 45% reported adequate practices regarding menstrual blood donation and the usage of related products.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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