'It's like a burden on the head': Redefining adequate menstrual hygiene management throughout women's varied life stages in Odisha, India

PloS One
Elizabeth R MacRaeBethany Caruso

Abstract

There has been growing recognition of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) as a significant public health issue. However, research has predominately focused on the experiences of adolescent girls in school settings. The purpose of this research is to examine detailed accounts of menstruation for women in rural Odisha, India at various life stages with a view toward improving international monitoring of MHM. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted to understand women's experiences of menstruation across four life stages (unmarried women, recently married women, married women, and older women). Thematic analysis was used to identify menstruation-related challenges and needs. We found women voiced needs that aligned with those captured by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (JMP) definition for MHM: access to clean materials, privacy for changing materials, soap and water for bathing, and disposal facilities for materials. However, we also found women require materials that are not only clean but comfortable and reliable; soap and water for more than bathing; privacy for the full spectrum of menstruation-related practices, not just when changing; and disposal faci...Continue Reading

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Citations

May 21, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Bethany A CarusoThomas Clasen
Nov 19, 2020·International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being·Anise Gold-WattsSheri Bastien
Mar 28, 2021·BMC Women's Health·Krishnashree AchuthanAswathy Sreedevi
Apr 30, 2021·Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters·Julie HenneganThérèse Mahon
May 6, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Padmalaya DasBelen Torondel
Aug 28, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Parfait K KouaméMirko S Winkler
Dec 4, 2021·PloS One·Hannah Jayne Robinson, Dani Jennifer Barrington

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