scholarly journals The Bishesta campaign: a menstrual hygiene management intervention for people with intellectual impairments and their carers

Waterlines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-224
Author(s):  
Jane Wilbur ◽  
Islay Mactaggart ◽  
Thérèse Mahon ◽  
Belen Torondel ◽  
Shaffa Hameed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Intellectual Impairment ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Training Modules

This paper describes the components of the Bishesta campaign: a behaviour change intervention for menstrual hygiene management (MHM), targeting young people with intellectual impairments, and their carers in Nepal. The campaign uses two fictitious characters: Bishesta (a young person with an intellectual impairment) and Perana (her carer), and consists of three group training modules. ‘Period packs’, designed to make MHM behaviours attractive and easy to adopt, are given to the young people. Packs include storage bags, a bin, and stories about Bishesta menstruating and learning to manage as independently as possible, with Perana’s support. Carers receive a calendar to track the young person’s menstrual cycle. A Bishesta doll, with removable clothes, underwear, and a miniature ‘period pack’ is used in training to demonstrate MHM. Evaluation findings show the intervention is feasible at small scale, so further research on how to scale up the intervention in an evidence-based way is required.

scholarly journals Feasibility Study of a Menstrual Hygiene Management Intervention for People with Intellectual Impairments and Their Carers in Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3750
Author(s):  
Jane Wilbur ◽  
Thérèse Mahon ◽  
Belen Torondel ◽  
Shaffa Hameed ◽  
Hannah Kuper
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Intervention Process ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: The Bishesta campaign is a menstrual hygiene management (MHM) intervention developed to meet the specific needs of people with intellectual impairments and their carers. It was designed and delivered in the Kavre district, Nepal. This paper explores the campaign’s feasibility and acceptability. Methods: The Bishesta campaign was delivered to ten people with an intellectual impairment and their eight carers. Data on the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention was collected through: Structured questionnaire to participants before and after the intervention, process monitoring data, post-intervention in-depth interviews with all carers, observation of people with intellectual impairments, key informant interviews with all facilitators and staff involved in the campaign, as well as ranking of the perceived appropriateness and acceptability of campaign components by carers and facilitators. Results: The Bishesta campaign was acceptable for the target groups, facilitators, and implementers. It was largely delivered with fidelity. Participants used most of the campaign components; these made the target behaviours attractive and enabled participants to carry them out with ease. There were improvements across all target behaviours. The focus of this study was feasibility, not limited-efficancy; however, indicative positive outcomes from this small sample were observed, such as an increase in young people’s levels of confidence, comfort, and autonomy during menstruation. Conclusion: Within the sample, the Bishesta campaign appears to be a feasible intervention to ensure that one of the groups most vulnerable to exclusion from MHM interventions is not left behind.

scholarly journals Acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Nepal: a qualitative pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diksha Pokhrel ◽  
Sabina Bhattarai ◽  
Malin Emgård ◽  
Michael von Schickfus ◽  
Birger C. Forsberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Conventional Content Analysis ◽  
Rural Nepal ◽  
Purposive Sample

Abstract Introduction Menstrual hygiene management can be challenging in low-income settings and among school-aged girls due to traditional beliefs, lack of knowledge and information on best hygienic practices, and limited access to appropriate and affordable menstrual hygiene products. An alternative method for menstrual hygiene management, instead of sanitary pads or tampons, is the vaginal menstrual cup. As evidence on the use of menstrual cups is relatively limited, this study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among school-aged girls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal. Methods This is an exploratory study based on four focus group discussions with a purposive sample of 28 schoolgirls between 13 and 19 years of age who were provided with vaginal menstrual cups in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal. The data were collected between February and March 2019, i.e. approximately three months after the distribution of the menstrual cup. Participants were included in the study if they had started their menstruation and never given birth. Conventional content analysis was applied. Results Most participants perceived the menstrual cup positively. Not missing a single class in school due to problems related to menstrual hygiene management was described as a major benefit. The participants found using the menstrual cup easy and convenient, and described economic and environmental advantages of using it. Cleaning the menstrual cup did not cause any problems, according to the participants. Discomforts mentioned by the participants were: pain when inserting the menstrual cup, feeling the menstrual cup sticking out of the vagina, feeling a constant urge to urinate and leakage. Concerns were related to the size, shape and texture of the menstrual cup, and that it may “get stuck” in the vagina, while relatives were said to be concerned about the use of the menstrual cup leading to reduced fertility or losing virginity. Conclusion The use of vaginal menstrual cups for menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal, appears feasible and acceptable, as it involves practical, economic and environmental advantages. However, the scale-up of menstrual cups will require resolving described concerns and discomforts and fostering peer and family support.

scholarly journals Adolescent Movement Cares About Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1039-1043
Author(s):  
Fayakun Nur Rohmah ◽  
Siti Arifah
Keyword(s):  
Community Service ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Service Activity ◽  
The Right ◽  
Training Modules

Lack of knowledge about The Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and poor water sanitation is a problem in adolescents in Indonesia. This community service activity aims to increase students' knowledge and awareness about MHM. This community service was carried out in October 2019 at SD Muhammadiyah Karangkajen I and SD Muhammadiyah Karangkajen II followed by 25 students from grades IV, V and V. The design of this activity is the provision of training on MKM by providing training modules and applying several learning methods including lectures, discussions, and simulations that begin with pretest and end postest. The results showed there was a difference in the average value of knowledge of students to MKM and statistically significant p<0.05.  It is expected that students can do MHM appropriately and provide the right information to friends. Teachers are expected to play an active role in providing information about reproductive health so that students get accurate information

scholarly journals Qualitative study exploring the barriers to menstrual hygiene management faced by adolescents and young people with a disability, and their carers in the Kavrepalanchok district, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Wilbur ◽  
Shubha Kayastha ◽  
Thérèse Mahon ◽  
Belen Torondel ◽  
Shaffa Hameed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Educational Issue ◽  
Support Mechanisms ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a recognised public health, social and educational issue, which must be achieved to allow the realisation of human rights. People with disabilities are likely to experience layers of discrimination when they are menstruating, but little evidence exists. Methods The study aims to investigate barriers to MHM that people with disabilities and their carers face in the Kavrepalanchok, Nepal, using qualitative methods. Twenty people with disabilities, aged 15–24, who menstruate and experience ‘a lot of difficulty’ or more across one or more of the Washington Group functional domains were included, as well as 13 carers who provide menstrual support to these individuals. Purposeful sampling was applied to select participants. Different approaches were used to investigating barriers to MHM and triangulate data: in-depth interviews, observation, PhotoVoice and ranking. We analysed data thematically, using Nvivo 11. Results Barriers to MHM experienced by people with disabilities differ according to the impairment. Inaccessible WASH facilities were a major challenge for people with mobility, self-care and visual impairments. People with intellectual impairments had difficulty accessing MHM information and their carers despaired when they showed their menstrual blood to others, which could result in abuse. No support mechanisms existed for carers for MHM, and they felt overwhelmed and isolated. Menstrual discomfort was a major challenge; these were managed with home remedies, or not at all. Most participants followed menstrual restrictions, which were widespread and expected; many feared they would be cursed if they did not. As disability is often viewed as a curse, this demonstrates the layers of discrimination faced. Conclusion Issues related to MHM for people with disabilities is more complex than for others in the population due to the additional disability discrimination and impairment experienced. Research exploring these issues must be conducted in different settings, and MHM interventions, tailored for impairment type and carers requirements,should be developed. Attention to, and resourcing for disability inclusive MHM must be prioritised to ensure ‘no one is left behind’.

scholarly journals Understanding Period Poverty: Socio-Economic Inequalities in Menstrual Hygiene Management in Eight Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2571
Author(s):  
Laura Rossouw ◽  
Hana Ross
Keyword(s):  
Decomposition Methods ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Menstrual Health ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Sanitary Pads ◽  
Unequal Access

Menstrual hygiene management and health is increasingly gaining policy importance in a bid to promote dignity, gender equality and reproductive health. Effective and adequate menstrual hygiene management requires women and girls to have access to their menstrual health materials and products of choice, but also extends into having private, clean and safe spaces for using these materials. The paper provides empirical evidence of the inequality in menstrual hygiene management in Kinshasa (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rajasthan (India), Indonesia, Nigeria and Uganda using concentration indices and decomposition methods. There is consistent evidence of wealth-related inequality in the conditions of menstrual hygiene management spaces as well as access to sanitary pads across all countries. Wealth, education, the rural-urban divide and infrastructural limitations of the household are major contributors to these inequalities. While wealth is identified as one of the key drivers of unequal access to menstrual hygiene management, other socio-economic, environmental and household factors require urgent policy attention. This specifically includes the lack of safe MHM spaces which threaten the health and dignity of women and girls.

Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices for Adolescent Girls among Public Secondary Schools in Kibondo District, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Issue 3) ◽  
pp. 107-115
Author(s):  
Renata Magayane ◽  
Jackson Meremo
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management

The study aimed at examining menstrual hygiene management practices among adolescent girls in public secondary schools in Kibondo District. The study used the mixed research approach with the convergent parallel design. The study was comprised of the sample size of 99 respondents from four out of 17 schools, including ten parents, 12 female teachers, 68 students, 4 matrons, 4 Heads of schools and 1 District Education Officer. Data collection was done through semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and questionnaire. Qualitative data analysis was done through content analysis while quantitative data were analyzed descriptively with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 and presented in tables through percentages, and frequencies. The study discovered that there are problems in MHM practices among public secondary schools under investigation. There were shortages of menstrual hygiene management practice facilities such as toilets and private areas to change absorbent pads, disposable mechanisms and water. The study recommended that adolescent girls should be provided with sanitary pads and education. There is need to improve MHM facilities such as water, disposable mechanisms and private rooms for changing absorbent materials for effective management of menstrual periods. Menstrual hygiene management topics should be integrated into the syllabi in order to increase awareness on MHM to adolescent girls. Teachers and health workers should closely provide guidance and health talks to adolescent girls, advising them on how to manage their menstrual-related illness effectively for their good performance in school.

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