Breaking the silence – Group discussions and the adoption of menstrual health technologies

Abstract

Stigma can hinder the adoption of beneficial and affordable technologies, particularly in sensitive health areas. Menstruation is a heavily stigmatized biological process, and managing menstruation with dignity and hygiene is a challenge in low-income settings. In this study, we conducted a randomized control trial to explore the impact of discussion-based interventions on breaking the silence around menstruation and shifting practices related to menstrual products. Our findings demonstrate a significant increase in the willingness to pay for well-known menstrual products and in the adoption of novel technologies post-intervention. The key driver of these outcomes is the reduction of menstruation-related stigma at the moment of the acquisition of the technologies.