Exploring young women’s menstruation-related challenges in Uttar Pradesh, India, using the socio-ecological framework

Autor: Ellen McCammon, Suchi Bansal, Luciana E. Hebert, Shirley Yan, Alicia Menendez, Melissa Gilliam
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, Vol 28, Iss 1 (2020)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2641-0397
26410397
DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2020.1749342
Popis: Menstruation frequently poses psychological, social, and health challenges for young women living in low- and middle-income countries. In countries such as India, where menstruation is stigmatised, it can be particularly difficult. This paper examines challenges related to menstruation for young women living in slums in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The research was informed by the socio-ecological model. Life course interviews were conducted with 70 young women ages 15–24 living in the slums of Lucknow. Thematic analysis was used to identify salient themes regarding individual, social, and systemic challenges related to menstruation. On the individual level, young women lack knowledge about menstruation. In the social sphere, young women experience stigma around menstruation, lack opportunities to discuss menstruation, and experience limitations around mobility and other activities during menstruation. At the institutional level, for example in school, there are few resources to support menstruating young women as toilets are dirty and doors are broken. Therefore, menstruating adolescents and young women in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, face an array of challenges at multiple levels. These findings suggest that multi-level interventions are warranted to create a supportive context for menstruation.
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