Faculty of Nursing, University of Regina, 516 RIC, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Jan 30;21(2):153. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21020153.
Disasters that involve displacement are particularly challenging for managing personal and menstrual hygiene, which can increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, infections and other health conditions that can endanger women's lives. This study aimed to examine the menstrual hygiene challenges experienced by internally displaced women affected by recurrent natural disasters and subsequent displacement in the context of a low-middle-income country, i.e., Pakistan. A critical ethnographic study was undertaken in disaster-relief camps in the northern region of Pakistan. Data were collected using multiple methods, including field observations, review of media reports and in-depth interviews with 18 women. The findings suggested that the key barriers to the personal and menstrual hygiene of women during recurrent disasters and displacement in the mountainous rural region of Pakistan include inadequate housing, lack of infrastructure and humanitarian aid, no waste disposal system and lack of women-friendly spaces in disaster-relief camps. Community-based collaboration is necessary for the implementation of effective interventions. A comprehensive menstrual response to promote the health and well-being of women during disasters must include menstruation supplies, supportive facilities (mainly toilets and bathing facilities), supplementary supplies for storing, washing and drying, disposal/waste management facilities, education and culturally appropriate spaces and supplies.
涉及流离失所的灾害尤其给个人和经期卫生管理带来挑战，这可能会增加中毒性休克综合征、感染和其他危及妇女生命的健康状况的风险。本研究旨在考察在中低收入国家（即巴基斯坦）经常发生自然灾害及随后出现流离失所情况下，受影响的国内流离失所妇女在经期卫生方面面临的挑战。在巴基斯坦北部地区的救灾营地开展了一项批判性人种学研究。使用多种方法收集数据，包括实地观察、媒体报道审查和对 18 名妇女的深入访谈。研究结果表明，在巴基斯坦山区农村地区，反复发生灾害和流离失所期间，妇女在个人和经期卫生方面面临的主要障碍包括住房不足、基础设施和人道主义援助缺乏、没有废物处理系统以及救灾营地缺乏对妇女友好的空间。必须开展基于社区的合作，以实施有效的干预措施。要在灾害期间促进妇女的健康和福祉，必须采取全面的经期应对措施，包括经期用品、支持性设施（主要是厕所和洗浴设施）、用于储存、清洗和干燥的补充用品、处置/废物管理设施、教育和文化上适宜的空间和用品。
