Menstrual hygiene management among girls and women refugees in Africa: a scoping review.

IF 3.1 2区 医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Alexis Harerimana, Gugu Mchunu, Julian David Pillay
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) presents a significant public health challenge for refugee women and girls in Africa. Displaced populations often lack access to menstrual products, adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, as well as comprehensive menstrual health education.

Aim: This scoping review aimed to understand the state of MHM, identify key challenges, and evaluate existing interventions among refugee women and girls in Africa.

Methods: Employing Levac et al.'s framework, the review analysed evidence from databases like CINAHL, Emcare, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and both numerical summaries and descriptive analyses were conducted.

Results: Refugee women and girls often lack access to both disposable and reusable menstrual products, resorting to unhygienic alternatives such as clothing, leaves, and paper. Inadequate WASH facilities restrict safe and private spaces for menstrual management. Cultural stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation contribute to social exclusion and school absenteeism among girls. The interventions included distributing dignity kits, enhancing WASH infrastructure, and providing menstrual health education; however, they were inconsistently implemented due to resource limitations and cultural obstacles.

Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable menstrual health solutions in refugee settings. Without access to necessary products, WASH facilities, and stigma-free education, women and girls risk exclusion, health issues, and interrupted education. Addressing these barriers requires consistent, well-resourced interventions that integrate cultural sensitivity to ensure dignity and long-term impact.

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来源期刊
Conflict and Health
Conflict and Health Medicine-Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
CiteScore
6.10
自引率
5.60%
发文量
57
审稿时长
18 weeks
期刊介绍: Conflict and Health is a highly-accessed, open access journal providing a global platform to disseminate insightful and impactful studies documenting the public health impacts and responses related to armed conflict, humanitarian crises, and forced migration.
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