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Cited by 423Menstrual Health and DisordersAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Mapping the knowledge and understanding of menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries

Open access
Chandra-Mouli, Venkatraman, Patel, Sheila Vipul·2017·Reproductive Health
DOI 10.1186/s12978-017-0293-6PMC PMC5333382
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is a natural physiological process that requires proper management. Unlike other normal bodily processes, menstruation is linked with religious and cultural meanings that can affect the perceptions of young girls as well as the ways in which the adults in the communities around them respond to their needs. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to answer the following questions: (1) how knowledgeable are adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries about menstruation and how prepared are they for reaching menarche, (2) who are their sources of information regarding menstruation, (3) how well do the adults around them respond to their information needs, (4) what negative health and social effects do adolescents experience as a result of menstruation, and (5) how do adolescents respond when they experience these negative effects and what practices do they develop as a result? METHODS: Using a structured search strategy, articles that investigate young girls' preparedness for menarche, knowledge of menstruation and practices surrounding menstrual hygiene in LMIC were identified. A total of 81 studies published in peer-reviewed journals between the years 2000 and 2015 that describe the experiences of adolescent girls from 25 different countries were included. RESULTS: Adolescent girls in LMIC are often uninformed and unprepared for menarche. Information is primarily obtained from mothers and other female family members who are not necessarily well equipped to fill gaps in girls' knowledge. Exclusion and shame lead to misconceptions and unhygienic practices during menstruation. Rather than seek medical consultation, girls tend to miss school, self-medicate and refrain from social interaction. Also problematic is that relatives and teachers are often not prepared to respond to the needs of girls. CONCLUSION: 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. In addition to investment in private latrines with clean water for girls in both schools and communities, countries must consider how to improve the provision of knowledge and understanding and how to better respond to the needs of adolescent girls.

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  1. [44]Abd El-Hameed NA, Mohamed MS, Ahmed NH, Ahmed ER. Assessment of dysmenorrhea and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in some nursing schools at lL-Minia governorate, Egypt. J Am Sci. 2011;7(9):216–23.
  2. [45]Eswi A, Helal H, Elarousy W. Menstrual attitude and knowledge among Egyptian female adolescents. J Am Sci. 2012;8(6):555–65.
  3. [91]Sommer M. V. E., Worthington, N., Sahin M. WASH in schools empowers girls’ education: proceedings of the menstrual hygiene management in schools virtual conference 2012. in Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools Virtual Conference. New York, NY: United Nations Children’s Fund and Columbia University; 2012.

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Authors
Chandra-Mouli, V., & Patel, S. V.
Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
ORCID
Patel, Sheila Vipul
Venue
Reproductive Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-03-01
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
30-30
ISSN
1742-4755 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12978-017-0293-6
PMC
PMC5333382
OpenAlex
W2594913298
Cited by
423
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 48 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 71 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 4
FWCI
4.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Reproductive Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (submittedVersion)
Funders
World Health Organization (RHR/HRP Fourth quarter2014)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
menarche, menstrual hygiene, menstrual health, adolescent girls, menstrual knowledge, family support, school absenteeism, self-medication, social stigma, low- and middle-income countries, menstrual health education
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Attitude to Health, Female, Health Education, Humans, Hygiene, Income, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Menarche, Menstruation

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