Patrick Madeleine, Stephan Nicole, Mink Thea, Bhan Tanushree, Aine Barbra Mary, Matanda Nabutuwa Viola, Conrad Amelia, Sinharoy Sheela S, Caruso Bethany A
Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
Health Place. 2025 May;93:103439. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103439. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
Menstruation has received growing attention in public health research, particularly among adolescents in schools. However, fewer studies have engaged adult men. This secondary analysis (1) assessed alignment between men's perceptions of women's menstruation practices and women's actual practices; 2) examined associations between men's demographic characteristics and their perception of menstruation-related communication norms, and 3) assessed if men's perceptions of these norms are associated with their support of menstruating women or girls in their household. Cross-sectional data were collected via household survey from men (n = 344) and women (n = 297) in Kampala, Uganda in 2022. Outcomes were two norms questions on the appropriateness of discussing menstruation in public and in front of men. We used a combination of Poisson and Firth's regressions. Presence of a menstruator in the household was positively associated with men's perception that it is acceptable to discuss menstruation in front of men (PR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.76; p < 0.01) or in public (PR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.46; p < 0.01). Supportive norms were associated with supportive behaviors; men who agreed that women may discuss menstruation in public and in front of men were more likely to report a willingness to talk to women about menstruation-related problems (PR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.22; p < 0.001). Our findings support the need for norms change to reduce stigma around discussing menstruation. Programs aiming to improve menstrual health should consider men's knowledge of menstruation, their role in the household environment around menstruation, and how norms may contribute to how they support menstruators in their households.
月经在公共卫生研究中受到越来越多的关注，尤其是在学校中的青少年群体中。然而，涉及成年男性的研究较少。这项二次分析：（1）评估男性对女性月经行为的认知与女性实际行为之间的一致性；（2）研究男性人口特征与其对月经相关沟通规范的认知之间的关联；（3）评估男性对这些规范的认知是否与他们对家庭中经期女性或女孩的支持相关。2022年，通过家庭调查收集了乌干达坎帕拉344名男性和297名女性的横断面数据。结果是关于在公共场合和男性面前讨论月经是否合适的两个规范问题。我们使用了泊松回归和费思回归相结合的方法。家庭中有经期女性与男性认为在男性面前（PR：1.37；95%CI：1.07，1.76；p<0.01）或在公共场合（PR：1.12，95%CI：1.12，2.46；p<0.01）讨论月经是可以接受的认知呈正相关。支持性规范与支持性行为相关；同意女性可以在公共场合和男性面前讨论月经的男性更有可能表示愿意与女性谈论月经相关问题（PR = 1.75，95%CI：1.38，2.22；p<0.001）。我们的研究结果支持改变规范以减少围绕讨论月经的污名化的必要性。旨在改善月经健康的项目应考虑男性对月经的了解、他们在经期家庭环境中的作用，以及规范如何影响他们在家庭中对经期女性的支持。
