“Bitten by shyness”: Menstrual hygiene management, sanitation, and the quest for privacy in South Africa.

Privacy of household and shared latrines is compromised by broken or missing doors, missing locks, and poor construction; women worried about being seen walking to latrines, waiting in queues, having others hear or smell their activity, or the proximity of latrines to houses, main roads, or public spaces.

“Privacy of household and shared latrines is compromised by broken [189] or missing doors, [184, 248] missing locks, [175,191,248,251] and poor construction [175,191,240,251].Furthermore, women worried about being seen walking to latrines; [189, 227] waiting in queues; [130] having others hear or smell their activity; [175] or the proximity of latrines to houses, main roads, or public spaces [69,1”

This information was often provided without clarifying how or when girls were vulnerable to pregnancy.

“however, this information was often provided without clarifying how or when girls were vulnerable to pregnancy”

In some studies, girls' post menarche and older women had lingering questions whether menstruation was needed to rid the body of 'dirty blood'.

“or whether it was needed to rid the body of ‘dirty blood’”

In some settings such as Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, mothers were sometimes considered culturally inappropriate, and other female relatives such as aunts or grandmothers were expected to serve in this role.

“whereas in others such as Ghana [4], Malawi [79], South Africa [84], and Tanzania [3], they were sometimes considered culturally inappropriate, and other female relatives such as aunts or grandmothers were expected to serve in this role”

Healthcare providers such as nurses or community health workers were mentioned in only a few studies, and always as unsupportive.

“Healthcare providers such as nurses or community health workers were mentioned in only a few studies, and always as unsupportive”