Re-learning Puberty: Minimising Period Shaming in Urban Schools (original) (raw)
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‘We do not know’: a qualitative study exploring boys perceptions of menstruation in India
Reproductive Health
Background: In low-middle income countries and other areas of poverty, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) can be problematic for women and girls. Issues include lack of knowledge about menstruation and MHM, and stigma around menstruation, also access to affordable and absorbent materials; privacy to change; adequate washing, cleaning and drying facilities; as well as appropriate and accessible disposal facilities. In order to effect change and tackle these issues, particularly in patriarchal societies, males may need to become advocates for MHM alongside women. However, little is known about their knowledge and attitudes towards menstruation, which may need addressing before they can assist in acting as advocates for change. The present study was undertaken to explore knowledge and attitudes about menstruation among adolescent boys across India, in order to gauge their potential to support their 'sisters'. Methods: The study was undertaken across three states in India, chosen a priori to represent the cultural and socioeconomic diversity. Qualitative data using focus group discussions with 85 boys aged 13-17 years, from 8 schools, was gathered. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The results were organised into three main themes, reflecting the key research questions: boys' knowledge of menstruation, source of knowledge, and attitudes towards menstruation and menstruating girls. Knowledge comprised three aspects; biological function which were generally poorly understood; cultural rites which were recognized by all; and girls' behaviour and demeanour, which were noted to be withdrawn. Some boys learnt about puberty and menstruation as part of the curriculum but had concerns this was not in-depth, or was missed out altogether. Most gathered knowledge from informal sources, from overhearing conversations or observing cultural rituals. Few boys openly displayed a negative attitude, although a minority voiced the idea that menstruation is a 'disease'. Boys were mostly sympathetic to their menstruating sisters and wanted to support them. Conclusions: These findings provide some optimism that males can become advocates in moving forward the MHM agenda. The reasons for this are twofold: boys were keen for knowledge about menstruation, searching information out despite societal norms being for them to remain ignorant, they were also largely sympathetic to their menstruating sisters and fellow classmates and understanding of the issues surrounding the need for good MHM.
How can design for well-being lower the taboo of menstruation in India
2019
In India, there is an existing taboo of menstruation which has an impact on the well-being of women in different ways - from education, economics, health, religion to different personal aspects. Many activities are happening in India towards improving the situation around menstruation - from governmental activities and plans, provision of sanitary pads in the rural areas, organization of educational sessions in schools, to famous actors using media to spread awareness on these issues. However, there is a need to create a change in the mindset and the behaviour of society to accept the made efforts. This graduation project is an extension of an elective course of Design for Emerging Markets in the winter semester of 2018 at TU Delft. The field research of this graduation project was conducted in India in order to get closer to the problem and get emerged into the context. The field research included interviews with different experts in the field to understand how this problem has bee...
Gender & Development, 2017
The onset of menstruation is one of the important changes that occur in the lives of adolescent girls. It brings many challenges with it. Menstruation is often dealt with in secrecy in many cultures and communities. In India, restrictions are placed on women and girls during menstruation, and the tradition of excluding menstruating women and girls from various activities continues. Adolescent girls also suffer from myriad health problems associated with menstruation. Many lack the facilities and resources they need for menstrual hygiene. This article draws on research into the experiences and challenges faced by adolescent girls in managing menstruation at school and home in the slums of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The article analyses the role and impact of government-led policy and interventions. It argues that the continued silence around menstruation needs to be broken: not only by addressing the practical issues of menstrual management, but also by creating a supportive environment for empowering girls with information about their bodies, and destigmatising the issue of menstruation. The article also draws lessons for policy advocacy.
Frontiers in Reproductive Health
Adolescent girls in the U.S.A. often lack sufficient education on pubertal and menstrual health topics. This educational gap may be growing given the current decline in American elementary and middle schools' delivery of sexual health education. Furthermore, little is known about the actual scope and quality of existing menstruation and puberty education in U.S.A. schools. This paper provides insights into some of the challenges with the delivery of menstruation and puberty education in schools. Qualitative and participatory research methodologies were utilized with Black and Latina girls ages 15–19 and adults working with youth in three U.S.A. cities (Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City), exploring experiences of menstruation within school and family contexts. Findings revealed tension between school responsibility and family authority in providing menstruation and puberty education in schools, school- and teacher-related delivery challenges, and inadequate and disengaging ...
International Journal of Women's Health
Background: Although menstruation is a biological phenomenon, it is still subjected to secrecy, shame, and negativity. Schoolgirls lack access to appropriate sources of information about menstruation. Little is known about the content of the information provided to schoolgirls concerning menstruation in northern Ethiopia. This study explored schoolgirls' experiences and the content of information they receive concerning menstrual hygiene management in Tigray. Methods: A qualitative design was implemented. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted using the local language among 79 schoolgirls who had experienced menarche. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and imported into ATLAS.ti-7.5.18 computer software for analysis. Data were coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: Five themes have emerged from the analysis: 1) there is an indistinct and haphazard source of menstrual information; 2) menstruation is perceived as "a natural gift"; 3) menstruation is also considered fearful and embarrassing; 4) negative community perceptions of menstruation lead to menstrual restrictions, and 5) lack of privacy for dealing with menstrual issues as well as the scarcity of menstrual hygiene management materials is an on going problem. Schoolgirls have indistinct and haphazard sources of information concerning menstrual hygiene management, obtaining it from teachers, mothers, sisters, and friends, but the information they receive is shrouded in secrecy and often is factually incorrect. Menstruation is commonly linked to notions of sexuality, shame, and the approach of marriageability. Conclusion: The information that schoolgirls in rural Tigray receive about menstrual hygiene management is inaccurate, insufficient, and encumbered with social taboos. Thus, schoolgirls do not have an adequate understanding of the physiology of menstruation and do not receive adequate emotional support at menarche, leaving them with feelings of embarrassment and anxiety. There should be efforts to implement programs that change community perceptions about menstruation.
The plight of menstruating secondary school-girls: a wake-up call for parents and the school system
2021
Background: This study assessed secondary schoolgirls’ menstruation experiences and the appropriateness of the school environment in fostering menstrual hygiene management in Tanzania’s rural settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 506 secondary schools girls from Mara Region, Tarime district in Northern Tanzania. Self-administered questionnaire were used for generating data which was analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: The age at menarche for the 506 secondary schoolgirls in the study ranged from 9-17 with a median age of 14 years. Less than a third (31.6%) were informed about menstruation and how to manage it before the first experience. Mothers were the first source of information to 50.2%of the girls. Slightly more than a half (51.4%) were scared and 43.3% were uncomfortable about the experience when it first occurred. More than half (54.8%) missed school for two days and 18% could not go to school for four or more days during menstruation. Almost thr...
Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: A mixed-methods study
Background Research in health communication frequently views it as an information dissemination strategy, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in communicating a sensitive topic such as menstruation. The social patterning in menstrual communication, a taboo in India, and its consequent health-effects on adolescents are under-studied. Methods We studied the social determinants of menstrual communication influencing menstrualhealth through semi-structured interviews of 21 boys and girls each, 12 key-respondent interviews, followed by a cross-sectional survey of 1421 adolescents from Nashik district, India. We thematically analysed the qualitative data and fit multivariable logistic regression to model risk ratios. Findings We found social disparities in adolescents' experiences of communication taboo regarding menstruation. While boys curbed their curiosity about the topic, girls too faced resistance to their experience-sharing and treatment-seeking for menstrual illnesses. The inequality in menstruation-related communication was evident as more boys than girls faced avoidance to their questions [IRR at 95%CI: 2.75 (2.04, 3.71)]], and fewer tribal than rural girls were communicated severe taboos (OR at 95% CI: 0.18 (0.09, 0.36))]. Girls who had been communicated severe (versus no/mild) taboos reported greater stress about menstrual staining (IRR at 95% CI: 1.31 (1.10, 1.57)], emphasizing the health consequences of such communication inequalities. Conclusions Our study highlights the need to address gender and setting-specific communication experiences of adolescents in India, a patriarchal society. The inequality in communication needs attention as it creates unequal patterns in Indian adolescents' menstrual health and experiences, which may manifest as inequities in reproductive health-related outcomes even in their adult-lives.
BMC International Health and Human Rights, 2011
Background The onset of menstruation is a landmark event in the life of a young woman. Yet the complications and challenges that can accompany such an event have been understudied, specifically in resource-poor settings. As interventions aim to improve female attendance in schools, it is important to explore how menstruation is perceived and navigated by girls in the school setting. This research conveys rural Kenyan schoolgirls' perceptions and practices related to menstruation Methods Data were collected at six rural schools in the Nyanza Province of Western Kenya. Using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and field notes from observations, researchers collected information from 48 primary schoolgirls and nine teachers. Systematic analysis began with a reading of transcripts and debriefing notes, followed by manual coding of the narratives. Results Focus group discussions became opportunities for girls to share thoughts on menstruation, instruct one another on management practices and advise one another on coping mechanisms. Girls expressed fear, shame, distraction and confusion as feelings associated with menstruation. These feelings are largely linked to a sense of embarrassment, concerns about being stigmatized by fellow students and, as teachers explained, a perception that the onset of menstruation signals the advent of a girl's sexual status. Among the many methods for managing their periods, girls most frequently said they folded, bunched up or sewed cloth, including cloth from shirts or dresses, scraps of old cloth, or strips of an old blanket. Cloth was reported to frequently leak and cause chafing, which made school attendance difficult particularly as the day progressed. Attitudes and practices of girls toward menstruation have been arranged into personal, environmental and behavioural factors. Conclusion Further research on menstrual management options that are practical, sustainable and culturally acceptable must be conducted to inform future programs and policies that aim to empower young girls as they transition into womanhood. Stakeholders working within this and similar contexts must consider systematic mechanisms to explain to young girls what menstruation is and how to manage it. Providing sanitary supplies or guiding girls on how to create supplies serve as critical components for future interventions.
Health Education Journal, 2019
Background: Menstrual hygiene management is a significant issue affecting the health of women around the world. Lack of knowledge and awareness about menstruation and the silence surrounding it is a risk factor for all women. Objective: The objectives of this study were to elicit the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescent girls (13–15 years) regarding issues related to menstruation and to assess the barriers that prevent them from practising menstrual hygiene. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study involving 187 adolescent girls from four government schools of Delhi. Method: Information was obtained using a mixed-methods approach, including a pretested questionnaire and focus group discussions with girls, parents and school staff. Results: Only 40% of girls were aware of menstruation prior to menarche. The majority of girls (95.7%) did not know the source of menstrual blood. About two-thirds (65.8%) of girls were unaware that the menstrual blood flow could be affected ...
Myths and Misconceptions about Menstruation: A Study of Adolescent School Girls of Delhi
Menstruation is a natural process which occurs in a healthy female's body. It starts around the age of 11 and continues for almost three decades. Beginning of the menstrual cycle brings in physiological change in the life of the adolescent girls. However, in India majority of the adolescent girls are ignorant of these changes and lack scientific knowledge of menstruation. This is because this topic is shrouded in secrecy. The objective of the study was to assess the understanding of the adolescent girls about the menstrual cycle and the myths and misconception they have about it. The present study is based on analysis of primary data. A structured questionnaire was prepared and administered on adolescent girls of schools of Delhi Government. The study focussed on various aspects related to menstruation. Based on the findings, proposed role of social worker has been explored to address the issue of prevailing myths, taboos and misconceptions. Also recommendations have been made to improve knowledge of girls on the subject, so that their education is not affected and they are able to avail all the opportunities for their better future.