Adolescent schoolgirls’ experiences of menstrual cups and pads in rural western Kenya

A qualitative study

In this randomized-control trial qualitative study, school-aged girls in rural Western Kenya (14-16 years old) were put into three distinct study arms (control, sanitary pad distribution, or menstrual cup distribution). The purpose of the study was to determine qualitative measures of satisfaction with different methods of menstrual hygiene management (MHM). The overall results of the study showed that individuals who used sanitary pads or menstrual cups, which were collectively summarized as "modern methods" or "alternatives to traditional approaches" reported greater comfort, less worry of leakage and odour, and overall felt more flexibility and freedom. The interviews also indicate that there was a hierarchy of satisfaction, where individuals who used the menstrual cup were more satisfied compared to those who used sanitary pads. Overall, an increased quality of life was observed (both by users and corroborated by parents).

Language

English

Authors

LINDA MASON, KAYLA F. LASERSON, KELVIN ORUKO, ELIZABETH NYOTHACH, KELLY T. ALEXANDER, FRANK O. ODHIAMBO, ALIE ELEVELD, EMILY ISIYE, ISAAC NGERE, JACKTON OMOTO, AISHA MOHAMMED, JOHN VULULE and PENELOPE A. PHILLIPS-HOWARD

Relevant locations

Kenya

Best suited for

Product distributor

Citation

MASON, L., LASERSON, K., ORUKO, K., NYOTHACH, E., ALEXANDER, K., ODHIAMBO, F., . . . PHILLIPS-HOWARD, P. (2015). Adolescent schoolgirls' experiences of menstrual cups and pads in rural western Kenya: A qualitative study. Waterlines, 34(1), 15-30. Retrieved June 8, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/24688188

Open acess

yes

Type of research

Qualitative,Randomized controlled trial,Semi-structured interviews

Year

2015