scholarly journals Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: an investigation of low-cost sanitary pads

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Crofts ◽  
Julie Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Sanitary Pads ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
Operation And Management

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a largely overlooked issue in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. Every day, millions of menstruating girls and women in low-income countries struggle to find clean water for washing, private places for changing and adequate blood absorbing materials. This study aims to explore the difficulties experienced by schoolgirls in Uganda in managing menstrual hygiene and investigates the extent to which low-cost sanitary pads are part of the solution. Low-cost sanitary pads, either re-usable or disposable, are a timely, simple and innovative means of improving menstrual hygiene and of addressing a broader set of problems related to MHM in schools. Other factors highlighted are: pain relief, education, safe water provision, clean and private latrines, hygienic and secure bathing facilities, use of soap, sealed waste disposal points, private drying places, anal cleansing materials and effective facility operation and management strategies.

Cambodian girls' recommendations for facilitating menstrual hygiene management in school

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Connolly ◽  
Marni Sommer
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Teaching Methodologies ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

Inadequate school water and sanitation facilities in many low-income countries, including Cambodia, are problematic for pubescent girls as they reach menarche and must subsequently manage monthly menses while attending school. This comparative case study explored girls' own suggestions for improving the pubertal guidance they receive in the classroom, and for modifications of existing school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in order to better meet schoolgirls' menstrual hygiene management needs. Key findings included girls' recommendations for teaching methodologies that encourage questions and practical content regarding puberty and menstrual management before the onset of menarche, and WASH-specific recommendations for the increased availability of water and sanitary materials in toilet stalls and greater privacy from boys and other girls. Incorporating girls' recommendations into WASH, health and education related policy and programming in low-income countries would allow girls to comfortably and confidently manage menses within the school environment.

scholarly journals Menstrual Hygiene Management Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria’s Epicentre: The Reality of Girls and Women in a Low-Income Community

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
David B. Olawade ◽  
Yinka J. Adeniji ◽  
Ojima Z. Wada ◽  
Oluwayomi R. Akosile ◽  
Aderonke Odetayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Systematic Random Sampling ◽  
Tissue Paper ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
The Past ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Sanitary Pads

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is typically a constant reality for post menarche and premenopausal females globally. However, unlike other natural routine physiological experiences, a healthy monthly MHM comes with considerable financial implications. Hence, this study examines the financial ability of girls and women in a Nigerian low-income community to access materials needed for MHM monthly. The possible implication of the COVID-19 pandemic was also considered. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 130 respondents selected via systematic-random sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The respondents’ age ranged between 14 to 40 years, while 82.3% worked informal jobs. Half of the respondents reported they were unable to purchase sanitary pads and other items required for monthly MHM. Over 65% of the respondents revealed they suffered anxiety thinking about the financial burden associated with monthly MHM, while about one-third of the respondents were more financially capable before the pandemic. Common alternatives to sanitary pads used were tissue paper, cloth napkins, old sanitary towels, and newspapers. Moreover, 64% of the respondents reported had at least a form of vaginal/urinary tract infection in the past 3 months. The results clearly show that period poverty remains a barrier to achieving gender equality. The fact that 1 out of every 2 females in the study area reportedly suffered period poverty shows the dire need for socio-economic interventions. Local and State Governments must consider subsidizing products required for MHM to improve and maintain the health of girls and women in low-income communities.

Girls' and women's unmet needs for menstrual hygiene management (MHM): the interactions between MHM and sanitation systems in low-income countries

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marni Sommer ◽  
Marianne Kjellén ◽  
Chibesa Pensulo
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Hygiene Management ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Sanitation Systems ◽  
Proper Disposal

While the sanitation sector is gaining increased recognition in policy and research, its inherent inter-linkage with menstrual hygiene management remains an under-researched subject. This review explores knowledge about menstrual beliefs and behaviors, and how women and girls currently handle their monthly menses in relation to existing sanitation systems in low-income countries. It further explores how used menstrual materials are disposed of, and the consequences of different disposal practices for the functioning of sanitation systems. Conclusions point towards the inadequacy of research in the area of menstrual management. The lack of privacy and space for changing, cleaning, drying or discarding materials, as well as insufficient availability of water for personal hygiene stand out as important areas where sanitation systems often fail to cater to the needs of menstruating girls and women. Information on proper disposal of menstrual materials as well as the actual provision of disposal facilities are important for improving menstrual management and ensuring that absorption materials do not impair the functioning of sanitation systems. Training of sanitation system designers and planners with regard to menstrual management could lead to sanitation systems becoming more inclusive of the full needs of all people.

scholarly journals COVID-19 pandemic: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as a critical control measure remains a major challenge in low-income countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 116793
Author(s):  
Oscar Omondi Donde ◽  
Evans Atoni ◽  
Anastasia Wairimu Muia ◽  
Paul T. Yillia
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Low-Cost Commercial Actigraph and Its Potential Use in Detecting Cultural Variations in Physical Activity and Sleep

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3774
Author(s):  
Pavlos Topalidis ◽  
Cristina Florea ◽  
Esther-Sevil Eigl ◽  
Anton Kurapov ◽  
Carlos Alberto Beltran Leon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Scale Step ◽  
Potential Use

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a low-cost commercial smartwatch, the Xiaomi Mi Band (MB), in extracting physical activity and sleep-related measures and show its potential use in addressing questions that require large-scale real-time data and/or intercultural data including low-income countries. We evaluated physical activity and sleep-related measures and discussed the potential application of such devices for large-scale step and sleep data acquisition. To that end, we conducted two separate studies. In Study 1, we evaluated the performance of MB by comparing it to the GT3X (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT), a scientific actigraph used in research, as well as subjective sleep reports. In Study 2, we distributed the MB across four countries (Austria, Germany, Cuba, and Ukraine) and investigated physical activity and sleep among these countries. The results of Study 1 indicated that MB step counts correlated highly with the scientific GT3X device, but did display biases. In addition, the MB-derived wake-up and total-sleep-times showed high agreement with subjective reports, but partly deviated from GT3X predictions. Study 2 revealed similar MB step counts across countries, but significant later wake-up and bedtimes for Ukraine than the other countries. We hope that our studies will stimulate future large-scale sensor-based physical activity and sleep research studies, including various cultures.

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.

scholarly journals Adaptation and validation for Colombia of the WHO safe childbirth checklist

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Amaya Arias ◽  
Óscar Zuluaga ◽  
Douglas Idárraga ◽  
Javier Hernando Eslava Schmalbach
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Neonatal Care ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Safe Childbirth Checklist ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Safe Childbirth

Introduction: Most maternal deaths that occur in developing countries are considered unfair and can be avoided. In 2008, The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a checklist for childbirth care, in order to assess whether a simple, low-cost intervention had an impact on maternal and neonatal mortality in low-income countries. Objective: To translate, adapt and validate the content of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) for its use in Colombia Methods: The checklist was translated and adapted to the Colombian context. It was subsequently validated by a panel of experts composed of 17 health workers with experience in maternal and neonatal care and safety. Reliability among judges was estimated (Rwg) and items were modified or added to each section of the list according to the results. Results: Modifications were made to 28 items, while 19 new items were added, and none was removed. The most important modifications were made to the management guidelines included in each item, and the items added refer to risks inherent to our environment. Conclusion: The Colombian version of the SCC will be a useful tool to improve maternal and neonatal care and thereby contribute to reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in our country.

scholarly journals Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools in Low-Income Countries: A Review of Evidence of Impact

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia McMichael
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Program Fidelity ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Hygiene Promotion ◽  
The Impact

Many schools in low-income countries have inadequate access to water facilities, sanitation and hygiene promotion. A systematic review of literature was carried out that aimed to identify and analyse the impact of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions (WASH) in schools in low-income countries. Published peer reviewed literature was systematically screened during March to June 2018 using the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. There were no publication date restrictions. Thirty-eight peer reviewed papers were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The papers were analysed in groups, based on four categories of reported outcomes: (i) reduction of diarrhoeal disease and other hygiene-related diseases in school students; (ii) improved WASH knowledge, attitudes and hygiene behaviours among students; (iii) reduced disease burden and improved hygiene behaviours in students’ households and communities; (iv) improved student enrolment and attendance. The typically unmeasured and unreported ‘output’ and/or ‘exposure’ of program fidelity and adherence was also examined. Several studies provide evidence of positive disease-related outcomes among students, yet other assessments did not find statistically significant differences in health or indicated that outcomes are dependent on the nature and context of interventions. Thirteen studies provide evidence of changes in WASH knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, such as hand-washing with soap. Further research is required to understand whether and how school-based WASH interventions might improve hygiene habits and health among wider family and community members. Evidence of the impact of school-based WASH programs in reducing student absence from school was mixed. Ensuring access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation and hygiene promotion in schools has great potential to improve health and education and to contribute to inclusion and equity, yet delivering school-based WASH intervention does not guarantee good outcomes. While further rigorous research will be of value, political will and effective interventions with high program fidelity are also key.

scholarly journals Fe0/H2O Filtration Systems for Decentralized Safe Drinking Water: Where to from Here?

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Nanseu-Njiki ◽  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Martin Pengou ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
Chicgoua Noubactep
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Iron Corrosion ◽  
Small Communities

Inadequate access to safe drinking water is one of the most pervasive problems currently afflicting the developing world. Scientists and engineers are called to present affordable but efficient solutions, particularly applicable to small communities. Filtration systems based on metallic iron (Fe0) are discussed in the literature as one such viable solution, whether as a stand-alone system or as a complement to slow sand filters (SSFs). Fe0 filters can also be improved by incorporating biochar to form Fe0-biochar filtration systems with potentially higher contaminant removal efficiencies than those based on Fe0 or biochar alone. These three low-cost and chemical-free systems (Fe0, biochar, SSFs) have the potential to provide universal access to safe drinking water. However, a well-structured systematic research is needed to design robust and efficient water treatment systems based on these affordable filter materials. This communication highlights the technology being developed to use Fe0-based systems for decentralized safe drinking water provision. Future research directions for the design of the next generation Fe0-based systems are highlighted. It is shown that Fe0 enhances the efficiency of SSFs, while biochar has the potential to alleviate the loss of porosity and uncertainties arising from the non-linear kinetics of iron corrosion. Fe0-based systems are an affordable and applicable technology for small communities in low-income countries, which could contribute to attaining self-reliance in clean water supply and universal public health.

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