The DOI matches its Crossref record; 61 of the 61 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Ideologies of sexuality, menstruation and risk: girls’ experiences of puberty and schooling in northern Tanzania
Abstract
This paper examines girls' voiced experiences of menstruation, puberty and schooling in northern Tanzania. The study was conducted in Moshi and Rombo Districts of Kilimanjaro, a predominantly Chagga region with historically strong support for girls' education. The major question explored was how the onset of menses and puberty may be impacting on girls' school participation, given societal implications of pubertal onset and potentially gender discriminatory school environments. The methodology included a comparative case study using in-depth interviews and participatory research with young women living in urban and rural Kilimanjaro. Along with important findings about how menstrual onset creates challenges for girls attending school emerged findings about the significant gaps in girls' knowledge about body changes, sexual health and HIV/AIDS. These findings underline the importance of identifying new girl-centred approaches to guidance on bodily development and HIV prevention.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Girls expressed a strong desire for more practical information, including managing menses or pain relief”
From Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2019) · cites this paper as [3]
In the citing paper
“Several studies noted distress resulting from conflicting advice from different sources (e.g., parents, teachers, nongovernmental organisations [NGOs])”
From Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2019) · cites this paper as [3]
In the citing paper
“Healthcare providers such as nurses or community health workers were mentioned in only a few studies, and always as unsupportive”
From Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2019) · cites this paper as [3]
In the citing paper
“Many studies that focused on girls of school age reported consequences for education [3–5, 8–11, 15, 37, 39, 41, 44, 51, 56–59, 62–64, 67–70, 72, 75, 77, 79, 85, 87–89, 91, 93, 94, 100, 101, 104, 106, 107].”
From Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2019) · cites this paper as [3]
In the citing paper
“Girls lacking knowledge and confidence to manage menstruation were reluctant to be around others [3–5, 8, 39, 70, 75, 77, 89].”
From Women’s and girls’ experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2019) · cites this paper as [3]
Citations
Cites
(1998) · Sage eBooks · Cited by 38,631
Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches
Lewis, S. (2015) · Health Promotion Practice · doi:10.1177/1524839915580941 · Cited by 22,105
(2006) · Cited by 18,730
Constructing grounded theory. A practical guide through qualitative analysis
Brink, E., Dellve, L., Hallberg, U. E., Abrahamsson, K. H., Klingberg, G., & Wentz, K. (2006) · International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being · doi:10.3402/qhw.v1i3.4932 · Cited by 6,913
The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure
Gilsenan, M., & Turner, V. W. (1976) · RAIN · doi:10.2307/3031914 · Cited by 6,709
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes.
Joffe, C. E., Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (1996) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.2307/2077613 · Cited by 5,152
Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches, 2nd ed.
Creswell, J. W. (2007) · Cited by 4,999
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes
Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (1995) · doi:10.7208/chicago/9780226206851.001.0001 · Cited by 4,204
The Ritual Process. Structure and Anti-Structure
Welbourn, F. B., & Turner, V. W. (1971) · Journal of Religion in Africa · doi:10.2307/1594703 · Cited by 3,462
(2002) · DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) · Cited by 2,351
Douglas, M. (1966) · Cited by 2,247
Coimbra, C. Ε. A. (1992) · Cadernos de Saúde Pública · doi:10.1590/s0102-311x1992000400016 · Cited by 1,204
Unsafe sexual behaviour in South African youth
Eaton, L., Flisher, A. J., & Aarø, L. E. (2003) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00017-5 · Cited by 536
Campbell, C., & MacPhail, C. (2002) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(01)00289-1 · Cited by 532
‘It's great to have someone to talk to': the ethics and politics of interviewing women
Finch, J. (2023) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003457367-5 · Cited by 516
Age and Economic Asymmetries in the Sexual Relationships of Adolescent Girls in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Luke, N. (2003) · Studies in Family Planning · doi:10.1111/j.1728-4465.2003.00067.x · Cited by 420
“He forced me to love him”: putting violence on adolescent sexual health agendas
Wood, K., Maforah, F., & Jewkes, R. K. (1998) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00057-4 · Cited by 396
Silberschmidt, M., & Rasch, V. (2001) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00299-9 · Cited by 307
Guidelines for Adolescent Health Research
Santelli, J. S., Rosenfeld, W. D., DuRant, R. H., Dubler, N. N., Morreale, M. C., English, A., & Rogers, A. S. (1995) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/1054-139x(95)00181-q · Cited by 300
The Uncharted Passage: Girls' Adolescence in the Developing World
Mensch, B., Bruce, J. C., & Greene, M. E. (1998) · Population Council eBooks · doi:10.31899/pgy11.1008 · Cited by 287
Changing patterns of orphan care due to the HIV epidemic in western Kenya
Nyambedha, E. O., Wandibba, S., & Aagaard‐Hansen, J. (2003) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00359-3 · Cited by 276
Critical Perspectives on Schooling and Fertility in the Developing World
(1999) · doi:10.17226/6272 · Cited by 263
(2004) · Cited by 224
Social Dynamics of Adolescent Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa
National Research Council (1993) · National Academies Press eBooks · doi:10.17226/2220 · Cited by 219
Plummer, M. L. (2004) · Sexually Transmitted Infections · doi:10.1136/sti.2004.011924 · Cited by 217
The State of the World's Children, 2004: Girls, Education And Development
Bellamy, C. (2004) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 204
Brooks‐Gunn, J., & Petersen, A. C. (1983) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-0354-9 · Cited by 182
Meekers, D., & Calvès, A. (1997) · PubMed · Cited by 177
Laws, S. (1990) · Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-349-21176-0 · Cited by 171
Issues of Blood: The Politics of Menstruation
McArthur, S., & Laws, S. (1992) · Feminist Review · doi:10.2307/1395293 · Cited by 157
Dilger, H. (2003) · Medical Anthropology · doi:10.1080/01459740306768 · Cited by 141
YOUNG WESTERN WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF MENARCHE AND MENSTRUATION
Beausang, C. C. (2000) · Health Care For Women International · doi:10.1080/07399330050130304 · Cited by 122
Hughes, J. M., & McCauley, A. P. (1998) · Studies in Family Planning · doi:10.2307/172161 · Cited by 122
Gender, sexuality and HIV: Making a difference in the lives of young women in developing countries
Weiss, E., Whelan, D., & Gupta, G. R. (2000) · Sexual & Relationship Therapy · doi:10.1080/14681990050109836 · Cited by 119
Recollections of Menarche: Communication Between Mothers and Daughters Regarding Menstruation
Costos, D., Ackerman, R., & Paradis, L. (2002) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1023/a:1016037618567 · Cited by 114
Desire and Decline: Schooling Amid Crisis in Tanzania
Vavrus, F. K. (2003) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 111
Gender dynamics in the primary sexual relationships of young rural South African women and men
O’Sullivan, L. F., Harrison, A. D., Morrell, R. G., Monroe‐Wise, A., & Kubeka, M. (2006) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/13691050600665048 · Cited by 108
Gender, Education and Development: Beyond Access to Empowerment
Ahsan, M. (2000) · Political Geography · doi:10.1016/s0962-6298(00)00010-x · Cited by 94
Silence, sexuality and HIV/AIDS in South African schools
Morrell, R. G. (2003) · The Australian Educational Researcher · doi:10.1007/bf03216780 · Cited by 94
Desire and decline: schooling amid crisis in Tanzania
Davidson, E. (2004) · International Journal of Educational Development · doi:10.1016/j.ijedudev.2004.01.013 · Cited by 79
Adolescent Girls’ Perspectives of Family Interactions Related to Menarche and Sexual Health
Teitelman, A. M. (2004) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732304268794 · Cited by 78
Qualitative Evidence on Adolescents' Views of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Amuyunzu–Nyamongo, M., Biddlecom, A., Ouédraogo, C., & Woog, V. (2005) · Cited by 75
Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey 2004-2005
Macro, O. (2005) · Cited by 75
Regulating Menstruation: Beliefs, Practices, Interpretations
Lichtenstein, B. (2002) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.287.3.383 · Cited by 64
Attitudes Toward and Experience with Menstruation in the US and India
Hoerster, K. D., Chrisler, J. C., & Rose, J. G. (2003) · Women & Health · doi:10.1300/j013v38n03_06 · Cited by 64
Koff, E., & Rierdan, J. E. (1996) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/1054-139x(95)00131-b · Cited by 54
Ansell, N. (2002) · Geoforum · doi:10.1016/s0016-7185(01)00033-1 · Cited by 48
DEVELOPMENTAL BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS
McDowell, M. (2011) · Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health · doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02146.x · Cited by 40
Changes in household composition and family structure during the AIDS epidemic in Uganda
Ntozi, J. P. M., & Zirimenya, S. (1999) · Cited by 39
Golub, S. (1983) · Women & Health · doi:10.1300/j013v08n02_02 · Cited by 32
Girls’ schooling in Tanzania: the key to HIV/AIDS prevention?
Vavrus, F. (2006) · AIDS Care · doi:10.1080/09540120500307776 · Cited by 31
Conducting research on sensitive topics with adolescents: ethical and developmental considerations.
Caskey, J. D., & Rosenthal, S. L. (2005) · PubMed · Cited by 29
Roth, E. A., Fratkin, E. M., NGUGI, E. N., & Glickman, B. W. (2001) · Culture Health & Sexuality · doi:10.1080/136910501750035662 · Cited by 27
Human Sexuality in Africa: Beyond Reproduction
Tiemoko, R., Maticka‐Tyndale, E., & Makinwa-Adebusoye, P. (2008) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 24
Human subjects protection and parental permission in adolescent health research
Santelli, J. S. (1997) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/s1054-139x(97)00199-7 · Cited by 22
Porter, K. A. (2007) · African Studies Review · doi:10.1353/arw.2005.0130 · Cited by 15
Symbols of Menarche Identified by African American Females
Hawthorne, D. (2002) · Western Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/019394590202400503 · Cited by 10
Regulating menstruation: beliefs, practices, interpretations
(2002) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.39-2880 · Cited by 6
Chalmers, H. A., Aggleton, P., Stone, N., & Ingham, R. (2001) · ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) · Cited by 4
Hoare, J. P. (2007) · Gender & Development · doi:10.1080/13552070701391433 · Cited by 3
Executive summary: Adolescent girls' health and self-esteem
Stotland, N. L., & Romans, M. C. (1994) · Women s Health Issues · doi:10.1016/s1049-3867(05)80029-5 · Cited by 1
Research works printed but not linked: 11
- Bharadwaj S., 2004, Menstrual hygiene and management in developing countries: Taking stock
- Buckley T, 1998, The anthropology of menstruation
- Finch J., 1984, Social researching: Politics, problems and practices
- Israel B, 2000, Methods in community‐based participatory research
- Kirumira E, 2004, Life skills, sexual maturation and sanitation: What's (not) happening in our schools? An exploratory study from Uganda
- Naples N., 2003, Feminism and method: Ethnography, discourse and archivist research
- 2003, Journal of Adolescent Health, 33, 396
- Stewart J, 2004, Life skills, sexual maturation and sanitation: What's (not) happening in our schools? An exploratory study from Zimbabwe
- 2005, Education for all: Global monitoring report
- 2003, The state of the world's adolescents 2003
- 2003, The state of the world's children 2004
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Hennegan, J., Shannon, A. K., Rubli, J., Schwab, K. J., & Melendez-Torres, G. J. (2019) · PLOS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002803 · Cited by 577
“…[58]; Lahme 2016 [68, 69]; Mason 2013 [11]; Morrison 2016 [72]; Rheinlander 2018 [81]; Schmitt 2017 [83]; Scorgie 2016 [84]; Secor-Turner 2016 [85]; Sommer 2009 [3, 8, 87]; Sommer 2015 [88, 89] (n = 15) Al-Sabir 1998 [34]; Behera 2015 [37]; Caruso 2013 [41]; Ellis 2016 [56, 57]; IWDA 2017 [62,…”
BackgroundInfluentialChandra-Mouli, V., & Patel, S. V. (2017) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-017-0293-6 · Cited by 423
Mason, L., Nyothach, E., Alexander, K., Odhiambo, F. O., Eleveld, A., Vulule, J., Rheingans, R., Laserson, K. F., Mohammed, A., & Phillips-Howard, P. A. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079132 · Cited by 375
Hennegan, J., & Montgomery, P. (2016) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146985 · Cited by 333
“Survey items, for example, ‘menstruation is an obvious example of the rhythmicity which pervades all of life’ and ‘a woman who attributes her irritability to her approaching menstrual period is neurotic’ [50] do not reflect the fear and stigma facing women in LMICs.[10,11] Only two studies measured primary psychosocia…”
BackgroundMcMahon, S. A., Winch, P. J., Caruso, B. A., Obure, A. F., Ogutu, E. A., Ochari, I. A., & Rheingans, R. D. (2011) · BMC International Health and Human Rights · doi:10.1186/1472-698x-11-7 · Cited by 316
Metadata
- Authors
- Sommer, M.
- Affiliations
- Columbia University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sommer, Marni
- ORCID
- Sommer, Marni
- Venue
- Culture, Health & Sexuality
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 383-398
- ISSN
- 1369-1058 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5351
- OpenAlex
- W2032093705
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 6.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Culture Health & Sexuality (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Sexuality, and Education
- Keywords
- menstruation, puberty, girls' schooling, school attendance, sexual health knowledge, HIV prevention, gender discrimination in schools, body image, Chagga, northern Tanzania, adolescent girls
- MeSH terms
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Adolescent, Attitude to Health, Catchment Area, Health, Education, Fear, Female, Humans, Menstruation, Politics, Prejudice, Puberty, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Shame, Tanzania, HIV Infections, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
