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

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.

Situation of menstrual management facilities in schools of peri-urban areas of Nepal: WASH, privacy, and healthcare

Menstrual management (MM) facilities in schools are neglected in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the existing MM facilities, identified the deficient, and collected students' ideas in peri-urban schools of Nepal. The schools had basic MM facilities including water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructures, gender-segregated toilet facilities with taps, dustbins and running water, provision of emergency sanitary pads, etc. Out of 71 students who reported soiling of dresses with menstrual blood as a common problem, 27% went home and did not return in such situation instead of washing off at school. Forty-six per cent of students used washable absorbents, but washing and drying facilities were lacking, and students adapted by using disposable pads at school and washable at home. Out of 126 students, 106 took days off during menstruation in the past three months with an average of 2.6 days by one student. Sixty-one per cent gave the reason as pain and 39% tiredness for taking days off. Healthcare facilities were lacking in schools, hence, lack of these facilities in schools might be contributing to absenteeism. The traditionally advocated list of MM facilities for schools, largely involving WASH facilities, should be updated, including newly identified factors which were also suggested by students.

AN EDUCATIONAL STUDY OF PROMOTION OF SAFE AND HYGIENIC MENSTRUAL PRACTICES AMONG WOMEN AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS OF RURAL MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Introduction : 1, 2 Menstruation is a monthly periodic shedding of uterine lining in reproductive age females. Safe and hygienic menstrual practices and proper disposal of menstrual material is a big challenge in rural areas. To deal with the issue and to raise awareness about the proper hygienic practices an educational intervention program was conducted among the women and adolescent girls in the rural area of Jabalpur district madhya pradesh. Materials & Methods : Cross-sectional and educational intervention study was conducted among 150 female participants. Information was collected through pre and post surveys after an educational programme with audio-visual aids, posters, pamphlets and small group meetings, in three months' duration. Results : Among 150 female participants only 20% were aware of hygienic menstrual practices. After educational intervention, post survey, 24% more participants adopted the use of sanitary pads during menstruation while use of clothes was reduced. More number of participants adopted the practice of burning and burying for disposal of used menstrual materials. 21.33% more females adopted practicing hand washing after changing menstrual materials in a post survey. Conclusion : After educational intervention for the promotion of awareness and hygienic practices, the number of females increased to adopt the use of sanitary pads during menstruation. Number also increased in safe methods of disposal of used menstrual materials. Practice of hand washing after change of menstrual materials was also increased among participants. Less number of participants reported genito-urinary infections. Thus this study suggests the need of educational awareness for promotion of good menstrual hygiene and safe practices, which are crucial for health, 1 education and dignity of girls and women.

An Overview of the Plant Fibres in the Development of Ecologically Sustainable Sanitary Napkins for the Green Economy

The issue of biodegradability must be addressed when considering the protection of our environment. Plastic materials are used in commercially accessible sanitary napkins. One of the primary issues with sanitary napkins is that they are non-biodegradable and can be found in landfills for up to 800 years. Increased menstrual waste has sparked calls for a revolution and the development of innovative techniques for addressing the global issue of commercial sanitary pads’ non-biodegradability. Plant fibres are a more environmentally friendly alternative to commercially supplied pads. Plant fibres are lignocellulosic fibres composed primarily of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin, and other polymers. In terms of abundance, biodegradability, non-irritant and chemical-free, easily renewable and environmental friendliness, plant fibres represent a suitable alternative to commercial sanitary napkins. The current review focuses on plant fibres such as jute, bamboo, bananas, and kenaf as an alternative raw material in the manufacture of sanitary napkins.

Menstrual hygiene awareness, management and challenges among adolescent girls in rural areas in Ambala, India

Background: The present study was undertaken to encourage articulation of needs and problems of adolescent school girls in rural areas in Ambala district, India, advancing good menstrual hygiene and generating evidence on menstrual hygiene awareness, management and challenges.Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional study, conducted from July to September 2018, in two rural schools (school 1 and school 2) in Ambala, Haryana, India. A structured pre validated questionnaire was administered to the group of participating girl subjects of 11- 17 years; the questionnaire was explained to them, followed by a short animated film ‘Mythri’ in Hindi of 20 minutes imparting knowledge on MHM. The data was analyzed and the report was presented to the schools with recommendations.Results: We observed better MHM facilities in school 2 than school 1. Provision of good infrastructure and MHM facilities in schools, reduces the absenteeism of girls during menstruation. A statistically significant difference in girl students absenteeism for an average of 2.15 (66.66%) days/ month in school 1, and an average of 1.44 (21.05%) days/month in school 2 is reported. Sanitary pads usage of 50%-83% girls is reported; this may probably be because of percolation of information and knowledge about good hygienic ways. Disposal of absorbent material still poses a big issue. Social taboos were reported by 84.44% girls in school 1 and by only 32.89% girls in school 2.Conclusions: The insights from our study suggests a better MHM education in schools to create more awareness, judicious allocation of resources in schools, providing better infrastructure and basic support to manage menses effectively and with dignity.

Menstrual Cups: The Sustainable Future for Women Hygiene in India

In India, the usage of Menstrual Cups is comparatively limited. The study focuses on the acceptability, affordability, accessibility and awareness of Menstrual Cups amongst Indian women in the menstruating age. An assessment of the Knowledge, Aptitude, Practice and Behaviour (KAPB) of Menstrual Cups was done. The sampled data received from various parts of the country, after exclusions, included 397 responses. The average age of the respondents was 24 years where most of them were students and were from urban dwelling. From the results, it was inferred that menstrual cups users were in favour with their experiences with 79% reporting menstrual cups to be comfortable and 82% of the users found menstrual cups to be cheaper compared to other menstrual products, 61% of the users reported menstrual cups to be easy to adapt. For monthly expenditure of sanitary products, menstrual cups were more cost efficient as users spent an average of Rs 0-100 in comparison to other Sanitary Products where users spent an average of Rs 100-300. Disposable Sanitary pads was the most used sanitary product by non-menstrual cup users. 29.6% of the respondents are willing to switch to menstrual cups and 45.4% of the respondents are not sure if they want to switch to menstrual cups. The reasons for non-usage of menstrual cups was mostly comfort (32%), limited knowledge (25%) and accessibility (15%). Homemakers scored high on Practice and Behaviour questions while Business women scored high on Knowledge and Aptitude questions. Both users and non-users recommended conducting awareness drives in the form of seminars focusing on clarifying myths and taboos related to menstrual cups. A change in favor of menstrual cups could be made possible by targeted pricing and advertising

Acylation of agricultural protein biomass yields biodegradable superabsorbent plastics

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are a central component of hygiene and medical products requiring high liquid swelling, but these SAP are commonly derived from petroleum resources. Here, we show that sustainable and biodegradable SAP can be produced by acylation of the agricultural potato protein side-stream (PPC) with a non-toxic dianhydride (EDTAD). Treatment of the PPC yields a material with a water swelling capacity of ca. 2400%, which is ten times greater than the untreated PPC. Acylation was also performed on waste potato fruit juice (PFJ), i.e. before the industrial treatment to precipitate the PPC. The use of PFJ for the acylation implies a saving of 320 000 tons as CO2 in greenhouse gas emissions per year by avoiding the industrial drying of the PFJ to obtain the PPC. The acylated PPC shows biodegradation and resistance to mould growth. The possibilities to produce a biodegradable SAP from the PPC allows for future fabrication of environment-friendly and disposable daily-care products, e.g. diapers and sanitary pads.