Department of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Ås, Norway.
Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen , Bergen, Norway.
Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2020 Dec;15(1):1845924. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1845924.
: In low- and middle-income countries, women and girls experience menstrual hygiene management-related health and social challenges such as urinary tract infections, social stigma, and school and workplace absenteeism. : In this study, we sought to explore how adolescent girls in rural Thirumalaikodi, Tamil Nadu, India experience menarche and menstruation, how their experiences connect to the sociocultural context, and what strategies they use to manage menstruation. This study also informed the adaptation and development of a school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention. : We conducted ten semi-structured qualitative interviews with adolescent girls in ninth standard from June-July 2018. Data were analysed using a thematic network approach. : Findings revealed that menarche inaugurates biological transitions of puberty and cultural codes that shape gender norms. Gender norms in turn generate, maintain, and reproduce stigmatizing attitudes, beliefs, and practices that influenced the development of coping mechanisms at home and at school. Resulting adaptations to the intervention consisted of two activities (school lesson and an extracurricular activity) that address knowledge gaps and myths. : This study demonstrates the importance of qualitative research in unpacking adolescent girls' experiences with menarche and menstruation. Study findings also show how formative research can contribute to the adaptation and development of a contextually and culturally-relevant water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention.
在中低收入国家，妇女和女孩在月经卫生管理方面面临着健康和社会挑战，如尿路感染、社会耻辱感以及缺课和旷工。 在这项研究中，我们试图探讨印度泰米尔纳德邦特里穆莱科迪农村地区的少女如何经历初潮和月经，她们的经历如何与社会文化背景相关联，以及她们如何使用策略来管理月经。 这项研究还为基于学校的水、环境卫生和个人卫生干预措施的调整和发展提供了信息。 我们在 2018 年 6 月至 7 月期间对 9 年级的 10 名少女进行了十次半结构化的定性访谈。 使用主题网络方法对数据进行了分析。 研究结果表明，初潮标志着青春期的生理转变和塑造性别规范的文化规范。 性别规范反过来又产生、维持和复制污名化的态度、信仰和做法，这些态度、信仰和做法影响了在家中和学校制定应对机制。 干预措施的相应调整包括两项活动（学校课程和课外活动），以解决知识差距和误解。 这项研究表明，定性研究在揭示少女初潮和月经经历方面的重要性。 研究结果还表明，形成性研究如何为适应和发展具有文化相关性和文化敏感性的水、环境卫生和个人卫生干预措施做出贡献。
