A Systematic Review of the Health and Social Effects of Menstrual Hygiene Management
Colin Sumpter,Belen Torondel +1 more
TLDR
There was no quantitative evidence that improvements in management methods reduce school absenteeism and there is a gap in the evidence for high quality randomised intervention studies which combine hardware and software interventions.Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Differing approaches to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) have been associated with a wide range of health and psycho-social outcomes in lower income settings. This paper systematically collates, summarizes and critically appraises the available evidence. METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines a structured search strategy was used to identify articles investigating the effects of MHM on health and psycho-social outcomes. The search was conducted in May 2012 and had no date limit. Data was extracted and quality of methodology was independently assessed by two researchers. Where no measure of effect was provided, but sufficient data were available to calculate one, this was undertaken. Meta-analysis was conducted where sufficient data were available. RESULTS: 14 articles were identified which looked at health outcomes, primarily reproductive tract infections (RTI). 11 articles were identified investigating associations between MHM, social restrictions and school attendance. MHM was found to be associated with RTI in 7 papers. Methodologies however varied greatly and overall quality was low. Meta-analysis of a subset of studies found no association between confirmed bacterial vaginosis and MHM (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.52-2.24). No other substantial associations with health outcomes were found. Although there was good evidence that educational interventions can improve MHM practices and reduce social restrictions there was no quantitative evidence that improvements in management methods reduce school absenteeism. CONCLUSION: The management of menstruation presents significant challenges for women in lower income settings; the effect of poor MHM however remains unclear. It is plausible that MHM can affect the reproductive tract but the specific infections, the strength of effect, and the route of transmission, remain unclear. There is a gap in the evidence for high quality randomised intervention studies which combine hardware and software interventions, in particular for better understanding the nuanced effect improving MHM may have on girls' attendance at school.read more
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The United Nations World Water Development Report 2019: Leaving No One Behind
TL;DR: The 2019 report as mentioned in this paper highlights the importance of water resources management and access to water supply and sanitation services for overcoming poverty and addressing various other social and economic inequities in an increasingly globalized world.
Journal ArticleDOI
Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Anna Maria van Eijk,Muthusamy Sivakami,Mamita Bora Thakkar,Ashley Bauman,Kayla F. Laserson,Susanne Coates,Penelope A. Phillips-Howard +6 more
TL;DR: Strengthening of MHM programmes in India is needed, and education on awareness, access to hygienic absorbents and disposal ofMHM items need to be addressed.
Journal ArticleDOI
Mapping the knowledge and understanding of menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries
TL;DR: LMIC must recognize that lack of preparation, knowledge and poor practices surrounding menstruation are key impediments not only to girls’ education, but also to self-confidence and personal development.
Journal ArticleDOI
A Time for Global Action: Addressing Girls' Menstrual Hygiene Management Needs in Schools.
Marni Sommer,Bethany A. Caruso,Murat Sahin,Teresa Calderon,Sue Cavill,Thérèse Mahon,Penelope A. Phillips-Howard +6 more
TL;DR: Marni Sommer and colleagues reflect on priorities needed to guide global, national, and local action to address girls' menstrual hygiene management needs in schools.
Journal ArticleDOI
Menstrual Hygiene Practices, WASH Access and the Risk of Urogenital Infection in Women from Odisha, India
Padma Das,Kelly K. Baker,Ambarish Dutta,Tapoja Swain,Sunita Sahoo,Bhabani S. Das,Bijay Panda,Arati Nayak,Mary Bara,Bibiana Bilung,Pravas Ranjan Mishra,Pinaki Panigrahi,Sandy Cairncross,Belen Torondel +13 more
TL;DR: Interventions that ensure women have access to private facilities with water for MHM and that educate women about safer, low-cost MHM materials could reduce urogenital disease among women.
References
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Menstrual Hygiene: How Hygienic is the Adolescent Girl?
Angira Dasgupta,Moumita Sarkar +1 more
TL;DR: Educational television programmes, trained school nurses/health personnel, motivated school teachers and knowledgeable parents can play a very important role in transmitting the vital message of correct menstrual hygiene to the adolescent girl of today.
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