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Phillips-Howard PA, Osire E, Akinyi C, Zulaika G, Otieno FO, Mehta SD. Water, sanitation and hygiene at sex work venues to support menstrual needs. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1305601. [PMID: 38481834 PMCID: PMC10936742 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1305601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adequate menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is necessary for women's health and equity of all menstruators. Female sex workers (FSW) require good MHH to prevent discomfort and exposure to pathogens. No studies have evaluated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions of FSW. We report on a cross-sectional WASH assessment at FSW venues in Kisumu, western Kenya. Methods Stakeholders identified 77 FSW venues in Kisumu, of which 47 were randomly sampled and visited between April-May 2023. A standardized structured survey of WASH conditions was deployed by trained research staff using Android tablets after proprietor's consent. WASH scores ranging 0-3 were computed based on point each for direct observation of water available, soap available, and acceptable latrine. MHH scores ranging between 0-4 were computed (one point each) for direct observation of: currently available soap and water, locking door on a usable latrine, functional lighting, and a private area for changing clothes or menstrual materials, separate from the latrine(s). WASH and MHH scores were compared by venue type using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, and non-parametric Spearman rank tests. Results Full WASH criteria was met by 29.8% of venues; 34.0% had no adequate WASH facilities; 46.8% had no female latrine; and 25.5% provided soap and water in private spaces for women. While 76.6% had menstrual waste disposal only 14 (29.8%) had covered bins. One in 10 venues provided adequate MHM facilities. Poorest WASH facilities were in brothels and in bars, and three-quarters of bars with accommodation had no MHH facilities. Discussion WASH and MHH services were sub-optimal in the majority of FSW venues, preventing menstrual management safely, effectively, with dignity and privacy. This study highlights the unmet need for MHH support for this population. Poor MHH can deleteriously impact FSW health and wellbeing and compound the stigma and shame associated with their work and ability to stay clean. Acceptable and cost-effective solutions to sustainably improve WASH facilities for these populations are needed. Trial registration Clinicaltrial.gov NCT0566678.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edyth Osire
- Nyanza Reproductive Health Society, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Garazi Zulaika
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Supriya D. Mehta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Balkan E, Genç Koyucu R. The menstrual cup knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Turkish women in reproductive age. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 292:239-243. [PMID: 38043221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Turkish women of reproductive age toward menstrual cup. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted via online platforms with 301 Turkish women between March-June 2023. The Participant Information Form was used to collect the data. A p value of <0.05 was considered. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 26.42 ± 7.81 years. The most common used menstrual hygiene product was sanitary pad. Of the women, 72.1 % have heard of the menstrual cup before, however, only 6.6 % of the women used menstrual cups. The 42.9 % of the women who use the menstrual cup had difficulty in using it. The most common concern of women who did not use menstrual cups was that they thought they were uncomfortable and did not know how to use them. Factors such as age, marital status, place of residence, occupation, previous pregnancy and finding the menstrual hygiene product used comfortable was found statistically significantly correlated with the menstrual cup usage. CONCLUSION In our study, very few of the women use menstrual cups, and nearly half of them stated that they had difficulty in using it. The participants who did not use the menstrual cup most frequently did not know how to use the cup and did not use it because they thought the cup was uncomfortable. It is essential to increase the awareness of reproductive age women about the menstrual cups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Balkan
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istinye University, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Refika Genç Koyucu
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istinye University, Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Turkey
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Zulaika G, Nyothach E, van Eijk AM, Wang D, Opollo V, Obor D, Mason L, Chen T, Kerubo E, Oyaro B, Mwaki A, Eleveld A, Ngere I, Fwaya E, ter Kuile FO, Kwaro D, Phillips-Howard PA. Menstrual cups and cash transfer to reduce sexual and reproductive harm and school dropout in adolescent schoolgirls in western Kenya: a cluster randomised controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 65:102261. [PMID: 37860578 PMCID: PMC10582356 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background High rates of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) harms and interrupted schooling are global challenges for adolescent girls, requiring effective interventions. We assessed the impact of menstrual cups (MCs) or cash transfers conditioned on school attendance (CCTs), or both, on SRH and schooling outcomes in western Kenya. Methods In this cluster-randomised Cups or Cash for Girls (CCG) trial, adolescent girls in Forms two and three at 96 secondary schools in Siaya County (western Kenya) were randomised to receive either CCT, MC, combined CCT and MC, or control (1:1:1:1) for an average of 30 months. The CCT intervention comprised 1500KES (US$15 in 2016) via a cash card each school trimester. All four treatment groups received puberty and hygiene training. Assenting girls with parent or guardian consent who were post-menarche, not pregnant, area residents, not boarding, and had no disabilities precluding participation were eligible. Socio-behavioural risk factors and incidence of HIV and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) were measured annually. School retainment and adverse events were monitored throughout. The primary outcome comprised a composite of incident HIV, HSV-2 and/or all-cause school dropout by school exit examination. The primary analysis was by intention-to-treat (ITT) using generalised linear mixed models, controlling for a priori selected baseline covariates. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03051789. Findings Between February 28, 2017 and June 30, 2021, 4137 girls (median age 17.1 [interquartile range (IQR): 16.3-18.0]) were enrolled and followed annually until completion of secondary school (median 2.5 years [IQR: 2.4-2.7]); 4106 (99.3%) contributed to the ITT analysis. No differences in the primary composite outcome between intervention and control groups were seen (MC: 18.2%, CCT: 22.1%, combined: 22.1%, control: 19.6%; adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.24; 1.14, 0.90-1.45; and 1.13, 0.90-1.43, respectively). Incident HSV-2 occurred in 8.6%, 13.3%, 14.8%, and 12% of the MC, CCT, combined and control groups, respectively (MC: RR: 0.67, 0.47-0.95, p = 0.027; aRR: 0.71, 0.50-1.01, p = 0.057; CCT: aRR: 1.02, 0.73-1.41, p = 0.92; combined aRR: 1.16, 0.85-2.58, p = 0.36). Incident HIV was low (MC: 1.2%, CCT: 1.5%, combined: 1.0%, and control: 1.4%; aRR: 0.88, 0.38-2.05, p = 0.77, aRR: 1.16, 0.51-2.62, p = 0.72, aRR: 0.80, 0.33-1.94, p = 0.62, respectively). No intervention decreased school dropout (MC: 11.2%, CCT: 12.4%, combined: 10.9%, control: 10.5%; aRR: 1.16, 0.86-1.57; 1.23, 0.91-1.65; and 1.06, 0.78-1.44, respectively). No related serious adverse events were seen. Interpretation MCs, CCTs, or both, did not protect schoolgirls against a composite of deleterious harms. MCs appear protective against HSV-2. Studies of longer follow-up duration with objective measures of health impact are needed in this population. Funding Department of Health and Social Care, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Medical Research Council and Wellcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garazi Zulaika
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Duolao Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Valarie Opollo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - David Obor
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Linda Mason
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily Kerubo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Boaz Oyaro
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Alex Mwaki
- Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Alie Eleveld
- Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Isaac Ngere
- Washington State University Global Health Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Feiko O. ter Kuile
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel Kwaro
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
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Sreeja S, Garikapati K, Sharmila V, Yamini M. Perception on Menstrual Cup Usage Among Teens and Reproductive Age Group Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2023; 73:150-155. [PMID: 37916021 PMCID: PMC10615973 DOI: 10.1007/s13224-023-01825-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the challenges to menstrual hygiene management in resource-limited settings is limited access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products. An alternative to the widely used sanitary pads is the menstrual cup, which has received less attention in low- and middle-income countries. This study was carried out to assess the perception on menstrual cup usage among teens and reproductive age group women assess attending a tertiary care institute in a rural setup in Andhra Pradesh. Methodology A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 164 teenage and reproductive age group women attending the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with the help of a semi-structured, pretested and pre-piloted questionnaire to assess the perception of menstrual cup usage among the participants. Data were analyzed statistically using software, menstrual cup knowledge score was calculated based on data obtained from questionnaire. Results Most of the study participants (87.8%) were using sanitary pads during menstruation. Cloth was also used by some of the participants (11.59%). Only one participant (0.61%) was reported using menstrual cup. Majority of the participants [121 (73.7%)] reported that they had never heard of menstrual cup, whereas 43 [(26.3%)] study participants reported that they were aware of menstrual cup. Only 2(4.65%) out of 43 participants had a good knowledge on menstrual cup whose knowledge score was 12. Five (11.63%) out of 43 participants had got 0 score and remaining participants got the score between 0 and 12. Conclusion Most of the women were not aware of menstrual cup and even if they know about it, they do not have good knowledge about it. Awareness regarding menstrual cup should be promoted through media and awareness programs to reach everyone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangaraju Sreeja
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh India
| | - Kavitha Garikapati
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh 522 503 India
| | - Vijayan Sharmila
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh 522 503 India
| | - M. Yamini
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh India
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Arumadi A, Raman R, Thayyil NA, Rasheed RR. Knowledge, Attitude and Experiences of Students Regarding Menstrual Cup Usage in a Medical College in North Kerala, India. Cureus 2023; 15:e46151. [PMID: 37900488 PMCID: PMC10613098 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sanitary napkins form a major source of solid waste, the disposal of which often results in environmental pollution. Menstrual cups are an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to sanitary pads that have yet to gain much popularity among Indian women. The current study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and experiences of using the menstrual cup among medical students in a college in north Kerala, India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 female medical students. Data was collected through an online platform and analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA). RESULTS Though all the participants had heard about the menstrual cup before, only 14 (12.8%) were using it either alone or in conjunction with sanitary pads. The majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards the usage of menstrual cups with 91.74% considering it a better alternative to other sanitary products, Among the several concerns expressed by the participants, 58.7% were concerned about the insertion of a foreign material into their bodies. CONCLUSIONS Though most of the participants displayed a positive attitude towards the menstrual cup, the number of participants who had ever tried it was very low. There are several apprehensions regarding the cup that need to be addressed before it can be expected to gain popularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Arumadi
- Community Medicine, Kunhitharuvai Memorial Charitable Trust (KMCT) Medical College, Kozhikode, IND
| | - Rupesh Raman
- Community Medicine, Kunhitharuvai Memorial Charitable Trust (KMCT) Medical College, Kozhikode, IND
| | - Nourin A Thayyil
- Community Medicine, Kunhitharuvai Memorial Charitable Trust (KMCT) Medical College, Kozhikode, IND
| | - Ruby R Rasheed
- Community Medicine, Kunhitharuvai Memorial Charitable Trust (KMCT) Medical College, Kozhikode, IND
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Babbar K, Garikipati S. What socio-demographic factors support disposable vs. sustainable menstrual choices? Evidence from India's National Family Health Survey-5. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290350. [PMID: 37590271 PMCID: PMC10434932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For over a decade, improving menstrual hygiene among poor girls and women in low-and-middle-income-countries has been a prominent global goal. Towards this, governments in the Global South have worked to promote the uptake of disposable sanitary pads. Despite this, we continue to see a high prevalence of period poverty mainly because disposable pads require monthly purchasing that may be burdensome for many women. Not only are pads financially unsustainable but also represent a heavy environmental burden which has kindled an interest in re-usable innovations like menstrual cups that present a sustainable solution. However, there is little understanding of factors that promote the take-up of disposable vs. sustainable products at population levels. In this paper, we draw on India's National Family Health Survey-5 to understand the socio-demographic determinants of period product usage among girls and women, differentiated by their sustainability quotient. Our findings suggest that awareness of sustainable products and cultural factors are the key driver to promote their use. Women with exposure to menstrual cups either via education or mass media were more likely to use them. Belonging to urban areas and to disadvantaged social categories are other driving factors, at least partly because taboos of vaginal insertion are less of a concern among these groups. These findings suggest that improving the uptake of menstrual cups requires a paradigm shift in menstrual health policies from the promotion of disposable pads alone to spreading awareness of sustainable period choices among women via innovative use of mass media and community networks. Some micro-level evidence of change supports our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Babbar
- Jindal Global Business School, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India
| | - Supriya Garikipati
- School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Mehta SD, Zulaika G, Agingu W, Nyothach E, Bhaumik R, Green SJ, van Eijk AM, Kwaro D, Otieno F, Phillips-Howard P. Analysis of bacterial vaginosis, the vaginal microbiome, and sexually transmitted infections following the provision of menstrual cups in Kenyan schools: Results of a nested study within a cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004258. [PMID: 37490459 PMCID: PMC10368270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonhygienic products for managing menstruation are reported to cause reproductive tract infections. Menstrual cups are a potential solution. We assessed whether menstrual cups would reduce bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal microbiome (VMB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as studies have not evaluated this. METHODS AND FINDINGS A cluster randomized controlled trial was performed in 96 Kenyan secondary schools, randomized (1:1:1:1) to control, menstrual cup, cash transfer, or menstrual cup plus cash transfer. This substudy assessing the impact of menstrual cups on BV, VMB, and STIs, included 6 schools from the control (3) and menstrual cup only (3) groups, both receiving BV and STI testing and treatment at each visit. Self-collected vaginal swabs were used to measure VMB (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing), BV (Nugent score), and STIs. STIs were a composite of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (nucleic acid amplification test) and Trichomonas vaginalis (rapid immunochromatographic assay). Participants were not masked and were followed for 30 months. The primary outcome was diagnosis of BV; secondary outcomes were VMB and STIs. Intention-to-treat blinded analyses used mixed effects generalized linear regressions, with random effects term for school. The study was conducted between May 2, 2018, and February 7, 2021. A total of 436 participants were included: 213 cup, 223 control. There were 289 BV diagnoses: 162 among control participants and 127 among intervention participants (odds ratio 0.76 [95% CI 0.59 to 0.98]; p = 0.038). The occurrence of Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated VMB was higher among cup group participants (odds ratio 1.37 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.75]), as was the mean relative abundance of L. crispatus (3.95% [95% CI 1.92 to 5.99]). There was no effect of intervention on STIs (relative risk 0.82 [95% CI 0.50 to 1.35]). The primary limitations of this study were insufficient power for subgroup analyses, and generalizability of findings to nonschool and other global settings. CONCLUSIONS Menstrual cups with BV and STI testing and treatment benefitted adolescent schoolgirls through lower occurrence of BV and higher L. crispatus compared with only BV and STI testing and treatment during the 30 months of a cluster randomized menstrual cup intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03051789.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya D. Mehta
- Division of Infectious Disease Medicine, Rush University College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Garazi Zulaika
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Runa Bhaumik
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stefan J. Green
- Department of Internal Medicine and Genomics and Microbiome Core Facility, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Kwaro
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Penelope Phillips-Howard
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Czekalski Lobascz B, Reis MBDF, Mendes GDPMET, Cruz DCDO, Damaceno MJCF, Sartorao Filho CI. Determinants of menstrual cup use among undergraduate medical students: A cross-sectional study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023; 160:1007-1011. [PMID: 36087018 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the determinants of menstrual cup use among medical students in Brazil. METHODS A cross-sectional study with an online survey regularly applied to matriculate women from Medical School in January 2021. RESULTS Of 277 women, 164 participated. The mean age was 22.26 ± 3.21 years. In all 136 women preferred external pads, 60 internal pads, 28 menstrual cups, and 11 did not use. Using a 1-10 scale, price, efficacy, sustainability, practice, vaginal health status, hygiene, and importance of internal genital integrity were investigated. Thirty-seven (22.56%) women related the use of menstrual cups in the last year. Using any method to reduce menstruation had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.310 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.122-0.787). Concern about the environmental biodegradation had an aOR of 6.369 (95% CI 1.372-29.562); concern about intimal health had an aOR 1.996 (95% CI 1.183-3.368); and concern about internal genital integrity had an aOR of 0.824 (95% CI 0.682-0.995) for menstrual cup use. CONCLUSION The significant independent factors for the use or adherence to menstrual cups were: women using a method to reduce their menstrual flow; concerning biodegradation; concerning vaginal health; with no concerns about manipulating their genitalia. The menstrual cup was used by 22.56% of a medical school in Brazil among undergraduate women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Carlos Izaias Sartorao Filho
- Educational Foundation of Municipality of Assis, Medical School, Assis, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Educational Foundation of Municipality of Assis, Physiotherapy School, Assis, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,University Hospital, Botucatu Medical School, University of Sao Paulo State-UNESP, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Varghese SD, Hemachandran KS, Parvathy J. Impact of imparting knowledge and awareness on the usage of menstrual cups: A study based on project 'Thinkal' at Alappuzha Municipality in Kerala. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 5:100352. [PMID: 36567765 PMCID: PMC9772853 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To assess the impact of educating and creating awareness among women on Menstrual Cups (M-Cups) as a healthy, safe, easy-to- use and affordable menstrual hygiene product with the support of medical professionals. Study design A two-group, non-randomized cross-sectional study. Methods The M-Cup awareness creation was carried out through the project 'Thinkal' and 4345 cups were distributed among the beneficiaries of Alappuzha Municipality in two separate groups. One group received awareness with the help of medical professionals and experienced users whereas the other group collected the M-Cup from the distribution centres (Municipality and Community Development Society) along with the information pamphlets without attending awareness sessions initially. Results Among the women who received the M-Cups without attending the awareness session, only 20.7% started using the M-Cup, where as 40.6% who received awareness, started the usage which is approximately double. Conclusions A well curated awareness session was the most important factor which helped in transforming a woman into an M-Cup user.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiny Deena Varghese
- Corporate R&D Centre, HLL Lifecare Limited, Akkulam, Sreekariyam (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram, 695017, Kerala, India
| | | | - Jayasree Parvathy
- Corporate R&D Centre, HLL Lifecare Limited, Akkulam, Sreekariyam (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram, 695017, Kerala, India,Corresponding author.
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Sica VP, Friberg MA, Teufel AG, Streicher-Scott JL, Hu P, Sauer UG, Krivos KL, Price JM, Baker TR, Abbinante-Nissen JM, Woeller KE. Safety assessment scheme for menstrual cups and application for the evaluation of a menstrual cup comprised of medical grade silicone. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104339. [PMID: 36370636 PMCID: PMC9664401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ensuring menstrual cup safety is paramount, yet a menstrual cup safety assessment scheme is lacking. This paper presents a quadripartite scheme, showing how it can be applied. Methods The Tampax Menstrual Cup was evaluated in the safety assessment scheme: (1) Biocompatibility and chemical safety of cup constituents. Extractables were obtained under different use condition; exposure-based risk assessments (EBRA) were conducted for extractables exceeding thresholds of toxicological concern. (2) Physical impact to vaginal mucosa. After physical evaluations, the Tampax Cup and another cup were assessed in a randomised double-blinded, two-product, two-period cross-over clinical trial (65 women, mean age 34.2 years). (3) Impact to vaginal microbiota (in vitro mixed microflora assay and evaluation of vaginal swabs). (4) In vitro growth of Staphylococcus aureus and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production. Findings Biocompatibility assessments and EBRA of cup constituents showed no safety concerns. In the randomised clinical trial, all potentially product-related adverse effects were mild, vaginal exams were unremarkable, no clinically relevant pH changes occurred, post-void residual urine volume with and without cup were similar, and self-reported measures of comfort along with reports of burning, itching and stinging between cups were comparable. Cup use had no effect on microbial growth in vitro or in the 62 subjects who completed the trial or on in vitro TSST-1 production. Interpretation The quadripartite safety assessment scheme allows evaluation of menstrual cup safety. The Tampax Cup is safe and well-tolerated upon intended use. As with all feminine hygiene products, post-market safety surveillance confirmed this conclusion. Funding By 10.13039/100004357Procter & Gamble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent P Sica
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Corporate Functions Analytical, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, 45040, USA
| | - Maria A Friberg
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Baby, Feminine and Family Care Microbiology, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, 45040, USA
| | - Amber G Teufel
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Baby, Feminine and Family Care Microbiology, 6280 Center Hill Rd., Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA
| | - Jan L Streicher-Scott
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Feminine Care Clinical, 6110 Center Hill Rd., Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Corporate Biosciences, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, USA
| | - Ursula G Sauer
- Scientific Consultancy - Animal Welfare, Hallstattfeld 16, 85579, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Kady L Krivos
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Corporate Functions Analytical, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, 45040, USA
| | - Jason M Price
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Corporate Functions Analytical, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, 45040, USA
| | - Timothy R Baker
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Corporate Functions Analytical, 8700 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH, 45040, USA
| | - Joan M Abbinante-Nissen
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Global Product Stewardship, Feminine Care, 6110 Center Hill Rd., Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA
| | - Kara E Woeller
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Global Product Stewardship, Feminine Care, 6110 Center Hill Rd., Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA.
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11
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Patel K, Dwivedy S, Panda N, Swain S, Pati S, Palo SK. Is menstrual cup a sustainable and safe alternative in menstrual hygiene management? A qualitative exploratory study based on user's experience in India. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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12
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Singh R, Agarwal M, Sinha S, Chaudhary N, Sinha HH, Anant M. Study of Adaptability and Efficacy of Menstrual Cups in Managing Menstrual Health and Hygiene: A Descriptive Longitudinal Study. Cureus 2022; 14:e29690. [PMID: 36187174 PMCID: PMC9517956 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Menstrual cup is a device made up of silicon for menstrual hygiene. Despite its being safe, eco-friendly, cheap, and durable its non-acceptability may be due to higher adoption barriers. We conducted this study to assess the adaptability and efficacy of menstrual cups. Methods It was a descriptive longitudinal study, conducted in a tertiary care institute in eastern India. Women of 18-50 years of age, educated till secondary level were included in the study, to be conducted over three months. The quantitative response for the satisfaction with the menstrual cup was measured on a five-point Likert scale after each menstrual cycle. Side effects, the quantity of blood flow and frequency of cleaning the menstrual cup, and how many participants will continue to use it were also asked. Results After the third menstrual cycle, 68.9% of participants stated that they would continue the menstrual cup usage. The mean total satisfaction score improved from 5.4 (first cycle) to 12.6 (third cycle) (p<0.001). The majority (67%) had no side effects, 10% had irritation and leakage, and 13% had an unpleasant odor. Conclusions The study shows that menstrual cups are a better alternative. Adaptability increases gradually through proper counseling, peer support, and practice.
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Menstrual Products as a Source of Environmental Chemical Exposure: A Review from the Epidemiologic Perspective. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:38-52. [PMID: 35302185 PMCID: PMC9876534 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Menstrual bleeding is a regular, common occurrence in a substantial portion of the population. Menstruators may use more than 10,000 menstrual products over the lifetime. Given the potential for environmental chemicals in menstrual products to be absorbed by the vulvar and vaginal epithelium into systemic circulation, we reviewed the available data on menstrual products as a source of environmental chemical exposure. RECENT FINDINGS Nearly two dozen studies have been conducted measuring environmental contaminants in menstrual products; all have detected environmental chemicals but had discrepant conclusions on exposure risks. Only three human studies have investigated menstrual product use and environmental chemical concentrations and all observed associations. Detection of environmental chemicals in menstrual products, in combination with challenges of exposure assessment, scarcity of human studies, and the exceedingly common occurrence of menstrual bleeding, motivates the need for further research. We provide recommendations to move this field forward.
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In Vitro Study to Assess Effective Cleaning Techniques for Removing Staphylococcus aureus from Menstrual Cups. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031450. [PMID: 35162481 PMCID: PMC8835062 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: We sought to determine the effectiveness of common cleaning procedures in eliminating S. aureus from silicone menstrual cups. Methods: In this in vitro study, we tested four cleaning techniques: (1) cold water; (2) cold water and liquid soap; (3) cold water followed by steeping the cup in boiled water for 5 min in a ceramic mug covered with a small plate; and (4) cold water and soap followed by steeping the cup in boiled water as in (3). Human blood was coated to the inner and outer surface of each cup, dried, and incubated with 106S. aureus colony-forming units (CFU/mL). All tests were performed in triplicate. Viable bacterial abundance was measured with decadic dilution and drop plate or surface plating. Results: Bacteria were most effectively eliminated by cleaning cups with soap and water and then steeping in boiled water (0 CFU/cup vs. 2.075 × 108/cup no cleaning, p = 0.005). This was not statistically significantly different from washing cups with water only and steeping 5 min in boiled water (14 CFU/cup). Raised lettering on the outer surface of the menstrual cups resulted in more bacterial recovery from pieces with lettering than without lettering. Conclusions: These results advance knowledge of between-period menstrual cup cleaning recommendations, suggesting that the logistical challenges of continuous boiling may be eliminated with steeping at least 5 min.
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15
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Das M, Hahm KS, LaRocca AA, Luna CA, Mendez K, Hoffman R, Verheyen CA, Kim TG, Wamakima BW, Roche E. A Low-Cost, Easily Deployable Vesicovaginal Fistula Occluding Device for Providing Interim Continence. J Med Device 2022. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4053603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs), abnormal openings between the vagina and bladder, disrupt the lives of millions of people worldwide due to resulting incontinence and infections. VVFs are commonly treated with surgery after the fistula has had time to heal over several months. In low-resource areas, the immediate incontinence often leads to ostracization from the community, and can be devastating for the patient. To occlude the fistula and enable full continence until the patient is able to access surgery, we have designed a three-tiered silicone plug consisting of a bladder-dwelling disc, a mid-fistula disc, and a vagina-dwelling cross-shaped tapered plug, all supported on a central stem.
The device withstands typical expulsion forces from the bladder and does not leak under typical bladder filling or urination pressures. The maximum device expulsion force is 3.69 N and it is watertight up to 100 cmH2O or 9.8 kPa. It is designed to be easily deployed by trained community members without medical qualifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Das
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Katie S. Hahm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Ava A. LaRocca
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Cecilia Alessandra Luna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Keegan Mendez
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Rachel Hoffman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Connor A. Verheyen
- Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Tesia G. Kim
- Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215
| | | | - Ellen Roche
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
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16
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Mehta SD, Zulaika G, Otieno FO, Nyothach E, Agingu W, Bhaumik R, Green SJ, van Eijk AM, Kwaro D, Phillips-Howard PA. High Prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus Dominated Vaginal Microbiome Among Kenyan Secondary School Girls: Negative Effects of Poor Quality Menstrual Hygiene Management and Sexual Activity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:716537. [PMID: 34621690 PMCID: PMC8490761 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.716537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome (VMB) impacts numerous health outcomes, but evaluation among adolescents is limited. We characterized the VMB via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and its association with Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs; chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) among 436 schoolgirls in Kenya, median age 16.9 years. BV and STI prevalence was 11.2% and 9.9%, respectively, with 17.6% of girls having any reproductive tract infection. Three community state types (CST) accounted for 95% of observations: CST-I L.crispatus-dominant (N=178, BV 0%, STI 2.8%, sexually active 21%); CST-III L.iners-dominant (N=152, BV 3.3%, STI 9.7%, sexually active 35%); CST-IV G.vaginalis-dominant (N=83, BV 51.8%, STI 25.3%, sexually active 43%). In multivariable adjusted analyses, sexually active girls had increased odds of CST-III and CST-IV, and use of cloth to manage menses had 1.72-fold increased odds of CST-IV vs. CST-I. The predominance of L.crispatus-dominated VMB, substantially higher than observed in prior studies of young adult and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa, indicates that non-optimal VMB can be an acquired state. Interventions to maintain or re-constitute L.crispatus dominance should be considered even in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya D. Mehta
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States,*Correspondence: Supriya D. Mehta,
| | - Garazi Zulaika
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Runa Bhaumik
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Stefan J. Green
- Department of Internal Medicine and Genomics and Microbiome Core Facility, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Kwaro
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
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Bauer IL. Healthy, safe and responsible: the modern female traveller. TROPICAL DISEASES TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES 2021; 7:14. [PMID: 34090539 PMCID: PMC8180038 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-021-00141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One-half of all travellers are women; yet, there is a distinct lack of detailed travel health knowledge on topics of unique relevance to women. While there is medical advice relating to stages in the female lifecycle, it neglects women-specific practical aspects despite their ability to harm travellers’ health and cause inconvenience. This paper discusses comprehensively three major aspects of travel as they relate to women. First, it suggests the management of personal hygiene, bodily functions, menstruation and sexual behaviour, and alerts to the limited knowledge on travel mental health issues. Second, apart from travelling in a female body with its specific demands, being a woman requires special attention to safety and security. Within various travel contexts, women have many opportunities for minimising potential risks. Finally, guided by travel medicine’s acknowledgment of its role in the concept of responsible travel, this article goes beyond the usual general statements and broad advice and offers detailed and practical suggestions on how the female traveller can contribute to the overall goal of minimising any potential harm to fellow humans and the natural environment. Recognising the scarcity of women-specific travel information, pathways to better education, and a range of suggestions for urgent research facilitate the provision of high-quality travel health care tailored specifically to women’s needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irmgard L Bauer
- College of Healthcare Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
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18
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Gharacheh M, Ranjbar F, Hajinasab N, Haghani S. Acceptability and safety of the menstrual cups among Iranian women: a cross-sectional study. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:105. [PMID: 33714263 PMCID: PMC7955610 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01259-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Menstrual cup is one of the menstrual management products that is available throughout the world and can be effective in improving women's quality of life by empowering women in menstrual management. Although menstrual cups have recently entered the Iranian market, the use of this product is limited among women. The aim of this study was to determine the acceptability and safety of menstrual cups among Iranian women. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2020. Iranian women between the ages of 18 and 50 with regular menstrual periods who used the menstrual cup at least for three months were included. Participants were selected through continuous sampling, and they completed a web-based questionnaire including a demographic characteristics form as well as checklists on acceptability and safety through a link sent electronically via social media. Results The mean score of the overall satisfaction with the cup was 6.54 ± 0.76, and the leakage had the lowest mean score among the satisfaction items (5.25 ± 1.63). About 83% of participants reported experiencing menstrual cup leakage. Among the reported health risks, the highest mean score was for vaginal pain during removal (23.9%). Most participants (83.9%) were familiar with the cup via social networks and 98.6% recommended this product to other women. Conclusions The high level of acceptability and safety of the menstrual cup showed that this product is a suitable alternative for menstrual management in Iranian women. The results of the study help healthcare providers to learn more about the potential advantages and disadvantages of using cup and create trust in the menstrual cup use based on the results of local evidence-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Gharacheh
- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ranjbar
- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Negar Hajinasab
- Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Haghani
- Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Plesons M, Patkar A, Babb J, Balapitiya A, Carson F, Caruso BA, Franco M, Hansen MM, Haver J, Jahangir A, Kabiru CW, Kisangala E, Phillips-Howard P, Sharma A, Sommer M, Chandra-Mouli V. The state of adolescent menstrual health in low- and middle-income countries and suggestions for future action and research. Reprod Health 2021; 18:31. [PMID: 33557877 PMCID: PMC7869499 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01082-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recognition of the opportunity created by the increasing attention to menstrual health at global, regional, and national levels, the World Health Organization’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research and the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction convened a global research collaborative meeting on menstrual health in adolescents in August 2018. Experts considered nine domains of menstrual health (awareness and understanding; stigma, norms, and socio-cultural practices; menstrual products; water and sanitation; disposal; empathy and support; clinical care; integration with other programmes; and financing) and answered the following five questions: (1) What is the current situation? (2) What are the factors contributing to this situation? (3) What should the status of this domain of adolescent menstrual health be in 10 years? (4) What actions are needed to achieve these goals? (5) What research is needed to achieve these goals? This commentary summarizes the consensus reached in relation to these questions during the expert consultation. In doing so, it describes the state of adolescent menstrual health in low- and middle-income countries and sets out suggestions for action and research that could contribute to meeting the holistic menstrual health needs of adolescent girls and others who menstruate worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Plesons
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Archana Patkar
- Gender, Human Rights and Community Engagement Department, UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jenelle Babb
- Regional Bureau for Education for the Asia-Pacific, UNESCO, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Flo Carson
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, London, UK
| | - Bethany A Caruso
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andisheh Jahangir
- WoMena Knowledge Management Team, WoMena Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ephraim Kisangala
- African Centre for Systematic Review and Knowledge Translation, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Aditi Sharma
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, State College, USA
| | - Marni Sommer
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Choi H, Lim NK, Jung H, Kim O, Park HY. Use of Menstrual Sanitary Products in Women of Reproductive Age: Korea Nurses' Health Study. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2021; 12:20-28. [PMID: 33659151 PMCID: PMC7899234 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.12.1.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The use of menstrual hygiene products and its effect on women's health remains under studied. Patterns of menstrual hygiene product use and the rationale behind choices among Korean women aged 18-45 years were examined. METHODS This cross-sectional study was a part of the Korea Nurses' Health Study. A total of 20,613 nurses participated, and 8,658 nurses participated in Module 7 which included a menstrual hygiene products-related survey. The data were collected through the mobile survey using a self-reported questionnaire. Participants' use of menstrual hygiene products and related characteristics were analyzed using frequency (percentage) or mean (SD). RESULTS The most common types of menstrual hygiene products across all age groups were disposable menstrual pads (89.0%), followed by cloth menstrual pads (4.5%), tampons (4.2%), and only 1.6% used a menstrual cup. Disposable menstrual pads were the most common across all age groups, but in those aged under 30 years this was followed by tampon use (6%). The most important criteria when choosing a menstrual hygiene product was comfort for disposable menstrual pads (31.3%) and tampons (41.5%), natural ingredients or organic products for cloth menstrual pads (51.4%), and custom fit for the menstrual cup (50.7%). However, for all menstrual hygiene products (except cloth menstrual pads), there was a higher proportion of anxiety than perception of safety, and low awareness of toxic shock syndrome. CONCLUSION It is important for women to use menstrual hygiene products with confidence. More research is needed to better understand potential health effects of menstrual hygiene products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansol Choi
- Division of Population Research, Department of Precision Medicine, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Nam-Kyoo Lim
- Division of Population Research, Department of Precision Medicine, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Heeja Jung
- College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Oksoo Kim
- College of Nursing, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Young Park
- Department of Precision Medicine, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
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21
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Pokhrel D, Bhattarai S, Emgård M, von Schickfus M, Forsberg BC, Biermann O. Acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among schoolgirls in rural Nepal: a qualitative pilot study. Reprod Health 2021; 18:20. [PMID: 33487171 PMCID: PMC7831234 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-01036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Menstrual hygiene management can be challenging in low-income settings and among school-aged girls due to traditional beliefs, lack of knowledge and information on best hygienic practices, and limited access to appropriate and affordable menstrual hygiene products. An alternative method for menstrual hygiene management, instead of sanitary pads or tampons, is the vaginal menstrual cup. As evidence on the use of menstrual cups is relatively limited, this study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of using vaginal menstrual cups among school-aged girls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal. METHODS This is an exploratory study based on four focus group discussions with a purposive sample of 28 schoolgirls between 13 and 19 years of age who were provided with vaginal menstrual cups in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal. The data were collected between February and March 2019, i.e. approximately three months after the distribution of the menstrual cup. Participants were included in the study if they had started their menstruation and never given birth. Conventional content analysis was applied. RESULTS Most participants perceived the menstrual cup positively. Not missing a single class in school due to problems related to menstrual hygiene management was described as a major benefit. The participants found using the menstrual cup easy and convenient, and described economic and environmental advantages of using it. Cleaning the menstrual cup did not cause any problems, according to the participants. Discomforts mentioned by the participants were: pain when inserting the menstrual cup, feeling the menstrual cup sticking out of the vagina, feeling a constant urge to urinate and leakage. Concerns were related to the size, shape and texture of the menstrual cup, and that it may "get stuck" in the vagina, while relatives were said to be concerned about the use of the menstrual cup leading to reduced fertility or losing virginity. CONCLUSION The use of vaginal menstrual cups for menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls in Thokarpa, Sindupalchowk, Nepal, appears feasible and acceptable, as it involves practical, economic and environmental advantages. However, the scale-up of menstrual cups will require resolving described concerns and discomforts and fostering peer and family support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Malin Emgård
- Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.,Foundation Human Nature, Nidda, Germany
| | - Michael von Schickfus
- Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.,Foundation Human Nature, Nidda, Germany
| | - Birger C Forsberg
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olivia Biermann
- Foundation Human Nature, Nidda, Germany. .,Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Manley H, Hunt JA, Santos L, Breedon P. Comparison between menstrual cups: first step to categorization and improved safety. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 17:17455065211058553. [PMID: 34798792 PMCID: PMC8606723 DOI: 10.1177/17455065211058553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Menstrual cups come in a range of shapes, sizes, and firmnesses, but unlike tampons are not categorized in any way. With these factors having an impact on product leaks and comfort, as well as being linked to illness and injury, women need the same level of transparency when purchasing a menstrual cup. The comparison of physical and mechanical properties of menstrual cups will be the first step to achieve this. METHODS In October 2020, 14 popular and highly rated menstrual cups underwent quantitative comparison in laboratory settings (the United Kingdom), and they were compared in terms of their dimensions, volume, and compressive strength (firmness) using the Instron Universal Testing System. The overall designs were compared including shape, material, and features. RESULTS Although all the products in this comparison were marketed to women below 30 years of age having never given birth, total volume varied from 18.88 mL to 38.14 mL, and compressive load to compress the menstrual cup 50% (±0.5%) maximum diameter varied from 3.39 N to 13.92 N. CONCLUSIONS Women are not sufficiently informed when choosing a menstrual cup. With no correlation between menstrual cup size, shape, and its volume, or material, shape, and its firmness, consumers cannot estimate which menstrual cup might be most suitable, and incorrect choice could cause injury. Transparency is needed across menstrual cup brands. With this and further regulation, women will make an informed decision to choose the correct menstrual cup and minimize injury. This work recommends firmness categories, ranging from 'very soft' to 'very firm' as a first step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Manley
- Medical Engineering Design Research Group, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - John A Hunt
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
- College of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lívia Santos
- Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Philip Breedon
- Medical Engineering Design Research Group, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
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Moon G, Kim I, Kim H, Choe S, Jeon S, Cho J, Hong S, Lee J. How can we improve knowledge and perceptions of menstruation? A mixed-methods research study. BMC Womens Health 2020; 20:214. [PMID: 32993611 PMCID: PMC7526121 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-01007-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditionally, menstrual education has consisted of lectures directed toward women. The objective of this study was to design an innovative menstrual education (ME) program that reflects the needs of both young women and men, and verify its effectiveness. METHODS A mixed-method design was used to determine the program needs and assess young adults' knowledge and perceptions of menstruation and menstrual products. Focus group interviews were conducted with 14 young adults, and 150 young adults participated in an online survey. After developing the ME program, 10 young adults participated in a study to verify its effectiveness. RESULTS Interview results showed young adults wanted more information about menstrual products. The online survey revealed significant differences in knowledge based on participants' general characteristics and experience; exposure to menstruation and menstrual products positively impacted knowledge and perception. In addition, the results indicated young adults wanted ME content access via mobile and in-person modalities, designed for both genders, drawing on menstrual experts' knowledge. Based on these results, a multi-experimental menstrual education (MEME) program was designed and included: hands-on exposure to 60 menstrual products, product demonstrations with a female perineal model, a YouTube video created by the researchers, a true-or-false quiz, and question-and-answer sessions with menstrual experts. CONCLUSIONS This study clarified the requirements of an innovative menstrual education program. It led to high satisfaction among participants, and improved knowledge and perceptions of menstruation and menstrual products. The online survey showed a correlation between the extent of received ME, and respondents' perception of menstrual products. This implied that a MEME program could change perceptions when conducted systematically; by extension it could ameliorate menstruation challenges attributed to poverty. Future research could further verify the effectiveness of the MEME program, using a larger sample, and examine its suitability for incorporation into official ME curricula at universities and companies. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered in a Clinical Research Information Service in Korea linked with the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (WHO's ICTRP) (no. KCT0004715 ), Registered 07 Feb 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayoung Moon
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Inkyung Kim
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Habhin Kim
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Suwan Choe
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Jeon
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghun Cho
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujeong Hong
- College of Nursing, Catholic University of Pusan, (46252) 117, College of Nursing, 57, Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisan Lee
- College of Life & Health Sciences, Department of Nursing & The Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Hoseo University, (31499), RIC building, 20, Hoseo-ro 79 beon-gil, Baebang0eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea.
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Beksinska M, Nkosi P, Zulu B, Smit J. Acceptability of the menstrual cup among students in further education institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2020; 26:11-16. [PMID: 32938248 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2020.1815005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this research was to evaluate long-term user acceptability of menstrual cups in a student population in South Africa. METHODS A cohort of female students aged 18-24 years attending 10 further education institutions including 22 campus sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were offered menstrual cups after receiving education and training in their use. The students were followed for up to 12 months to assess menstrual cup acceptability, user experiences and continuation. RESULTS A total of 509 students were enrolled. Disposable pads were the primary menstrual hygiene product used in the 3 months prior to the baseline interview (95.5%, n = 486), and 8.1% (n = 41) of students reported that they had used toilet paper or newspapers. Of the 463 (91%) students interviewed at 1 month follow-up, 86% reported that they had tried to use the menstrual cup. There was mixed reporting on ease of insertion and removal on first use. Of those who attempted use, half (49.5%, n = 197) reported that inserting the menstrual cup on first use was very easy or quite easy. Of those who did not find it easy, 80% reported that two to three insertions were required to achieve comfort. A maximum of five insertions was mentioned to achieve comfort. The majority who had used the cup (>90%) reported they would continue to use it at each follow-up visit. CONCLUSION The menstrual cup was well accepted among this student population and should be considered as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option in menstrual health management initiatives in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mags Beksinska
- MatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Phumla Nkosi
- MatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bongiwe Zulu
- MatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Smit
- MatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Arenas-Gallo C, Ramírez-Rocha G, González-Hakspiel L, Merlano-Alcendra C, Palomino-Suárez D, Rueda-Espinel S. Acceptability and safety of the menstrual cup: A systematic review of the literature. REVISTA COLOMBIANA DE OBSTETRICIA Y GINECOLOGIA 2020; 71:163-177. [PMID: 32770872 DOI: 10.18597/rcog.3425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To conduct a systematic review of the literature and assess the acceptability and safety of the menstrual cup as a feminine hygiene product. Materials and methods A search was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PopLine and Google Scholar databases for publications be- tween 1966 and July 2019. The terms ("Menstrual" AND "Cup") OR ("Copa" AND "Menstrual") were used. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed studies were included, as well as case series and case reports published in English and Spanish assessing the menstrual cup in women in childbearing age. The studies were selected and the data extracted by two reviewers working independently. Acceptability and safety were assessed as the primary result. The summary of the information is presented in narrative form. Results Overall, 737 titles were found for initial review and, in the end, 38 studies were included in this work. The acceptability of the menstrual cup ranges between 35 % and 90 %. Between 10 to 45 % of women found it difficult to use. It was described as more comfortable when compared to tampons and pads. Continued use of the cup ranges between 48 and 94 %. In terms of safety, there was one case of toxic shock syndrome, one case of mechanical entrapment, and another case of allergy; and a higher risk of expulsion was found among intrauterine device users. Conclusion The menstrual cup appears to be a comfortable, safe and efficient option for menstrual hygiene. Further randomized controlled studies and long-term prospective cohort studies are needed in order to determine the risk of complications due to excess bacterial colonization or retrograde menstruation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Arenas-Gallo
- Médico cirujano, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga (Colombia)
| | | | | | | | | | - Santiago Rueda-Espinel
- Residente Ginecología y Obstetricia, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga (Colombia)
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van Eijk AM, Zulaika G, Lenchner M, Mason L, Sivakami M, Nyothach E, Unger H, Laserson K, Phillips-Howard PA. Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 2019; 4:e376-e393. [PMID: 31324419 PMCID: PMC6669309 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30111-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Girls and women need effective, safe, and affordable menstrual products. Single-use products are regularly selected by agencies for resource-poor settings; the menstrual cup is a less known alternative. We reviewed international studies on menstrual cup leakage, acceptability, and safety and explored menstrual cup availability to inform programmes. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Popline, Cinahl, Global Health database, Emerald, Google Scholar, Science.gov, and WorldWideScience from database inception to May 14, 2019, for quantitative or qualitative studies published in English on experiences and leakage associated with menstrual cups, and adverse event reports. We also screened the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database from the US Food and Drug Administration for events related to menstrual cups. To be eligible for inclusion, the material needed to have information on leakage, acceptability, or safety of menstrual cups. The main outcome of interest was menstrual blood leakage when using a menstrual cup. Safety outcomes of interest included serious adverse events; vaginal abrasions and effects on vaginal microflora; effects on the reproductive, digestive, or urinary tract; and safety in poor sanitary conditions. Findings were tabulated or combined by use of forest plots (random-effects meta-analysis). We also did preliminary estimates on costs and environmental savings potentially associated with cups. This systematic review is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42016047845. FINDINGS Of 436 records identified, 43 studies were eligible for analysis (3319 participants). Most studies reported on vaginal cups (27 [63%] vaginal cups, five [12%] cervical cups, and 11 [25%] mixed types of cups or unknown) and 15 were from low-income and middle-income countries. 22 studies were included in qualitative or quantitative syntheses, of which only three were of moderate-to-high quality. Four studies made a direct comparison between menstrual cups and usual products for the main outcome of leakage and reported leakage was similar or lower for menstrual cups than for disposable pads or tampons (n=293). In all qualitative studies, the adoption of the menstrual cup required a familiarisation phase over several menstrual cycles and peer support improved uptake (two studies in developing countries). In 13 studies, 73% (pooled estimate: n=1144; 95% CI 59-84, I2=96%) of participants wished to continue use of the menstrual cup at study completion. Use of the menstrual cup showed no adverse effects on the vaginal flora (four studies, 507 women). We identified five women who reported severe pain or vaginal wounds, six reports of allergies or rashes, nine of urinary tract complaints (three with hydronephrosis), and five of toxic shock syndrome after use of the menstrual cup. Dislodgement of an intrauterine device was reported in 13 women who used the menstrual cup (eight in case reports, and five in one study) between 1 week and 13 months of insertion of the intrauterine device. Professional assistance to aid removal of menstrual cup was reported among 47 cervical cup users and two vaginal cup users. We identified 199 brands of menstrual cup, and availability in 99 countries with prices ranging US$0·72-46·72 (median $23·3, 145 brands). INTERPRETATION Our review indicates that menstrual cups are a safe option for menstruation management and are being used internationally. Good quality studies in this field are needed. Further studies are needed on cost-effectiveness and environmental effect comparing different menstrual products. FUNDING UK Medical Research Council, Department for International Development, and Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Garazi Zulaika
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Madeline Lenchner
- Population Health Sciences, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Linda Mason
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Muthusamy Sivakami
- Centre for Health and Social Sciences, School of Health Systems Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Holger Unger
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kayla Laserson
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, India Country Office, New Delhi, India
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Muytjens CMJ, Yu Y, Diamandis EP. Functional proteomic profiling reveals KLK13 and TMPRSS11D as active proteases in the lower female reproductive tract. F1000Res 2019; 7:1666. [PMID: 30647911 PMCID: PMC6329257 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16255.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) hydrates the mucosa of the lower female reproductive tract and is known to contain numerous proteases. The low pH of CVF (4.5 or below in healthy women of reproductive age) is a uniquely human attribute and poses a challenge for the proteolytic functioning of the proteases identified in this complex biological fluid. Despite the abundance of certain proteases in CVF, the proteolytic activity and function of proteases in CVF is not well characterized. Methods: In the present study, we employed fluorogenic substrate screening to investigate the influence of pH and inhibitory compounds on the proteolytic activity in CVF. Activity-based probe (ABP) proteomics has evolved as a powerful tool to investigate active proteases within complex proteomes and a trypsin-specific ABP was used to identify active proteases in CVF. Results: Serine proteases are among the most abundant proteins in the CVF proteome. Labeling human CVF samples with the trypsin-specific ABP revealed serine proteases transmembrane protein serine 11D and kallikrein-related peptidase 13 as active proteases in CVF. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the proteolytic activity in CVF is highly pH-dependent with an almost absolute inhibition of trypsin-like proteolytic activity at physiological pH levels. Conclusions: These findings provide a framework to understand proteolytic activity in CVF. Furthermore, the present results provide clues for a novel regulatory mechanism in which fluctuations in CVF pH have the potential to control the catalytic activity in the lower female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M J Muytjens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yijing Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eleftherios P Diamandis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network, Canada, Toronto, Canada
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Woo J, Kim S, Kim H, Jeong KS, Kim E, Ha E. Systematic Review on Sanitary Pads and Female Health. THE EWHA MEDICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.12771/emj.2019.42.3.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingang Woo
- Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haesoon Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung Sook Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea
| | - EunMee Kim
- Department of International Studies, Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunhee Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environment Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Kim HJ, Choi SY. Status of Use of Menstrual Hygiene Products and Genital Organ Hygiene Management in Unmarried Women. KOREAN JOURNAL OF WOMEN HEALTH NURSING 2018; 24:265-275. [PMID: 37684933 DOI: 10.4069/kjwhn.2018.24.3.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of use of menstrual hygiene products and genital organ hygiene management in unmarried women. METHODS Data from 161 unmarried women were used for analysis. The instruments consisted of self-reported questionnaires that included 40 items: 20 on General Characteristics & Sexual Health Related Characteristics, 8 on Using Status of Menstrual Hygiene Products, 12 on Genital Organ Hygiene Management. RESULTS The subjects used disposable sanitary napkin as the most frequently but the satisfaction was low, while the use of reusable sanitary napkin and tampons were few, but satisfaction was high. Sixty-seven percent of the unmarried women had sex experience, and more than 60% experienced abnormal symptoms in the genital organ. There was a significant difference in genital organ hygiene management according to sex experience. Among subjects of this study, 44.1% wanted to use menstrual cup, and 98.8% wanted to have education for their menstrual hygiene products. CONCLUSION Based on results of this study, a nationwide survey of the demand for menstrual hygiene products used by Korean women is needed, it is necessary to educate about the proper use of menstrual hygiene products and genital organ hygiene management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Kim
- Graduate Student, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - So Young Choi
- Graduate Student, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
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Use of menstrual cups among school girls: longitudinal observations nested in a randomised controlled feasibility study in rural western Kenya. Reprod Health 2018; 15:139. [PMID: 30119636 PMCID: PMC6098596 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-018-0582-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A menstrual cup can be a good solution for menstrual hygiene management in economically challenged settings. As part of a pilot study we assessed uptake and maintenance of cup use among young school girls in Kenya. METHODS A total of 192 girls between 14 to 16 years were enrolled in 10 schools in Nyanza Province, Western Kenya; these schools were assigned menstrual cups as part of the cluster-randomized pilot study. Girls were provided with menstrual cups in addition to training and guidance on use, puberty education, and instructions for menstrual hygiene. During repeated individual visits with nurses, girls reported use of the menstrual cup and nurses recorded colour change of the cup. RESULTS Girls were able to keep their cups in good condition, with only 12 cups (6.3%) lost (dropped in toilet, lost or destroyed). Verbally reported cup use increased from 84% in the first 3 months (n = 143) to 96% after 9 months (n = 74). Colour change of the cup, as 'uptake' indicator of use, was detected in 70.8% of 192 participants, with a median time of 5 months (range 1-14 months). Uptake differed by school and was significantly higher among girls who experienced menarche within the past year (adjusted risk ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.60), and was faster among girls enrolled in the second study year (hazard ratio 3.93, 95% CI 2.09-7.38). The kappa score comparing self-report and cup colour observation was 0.044 (p = 0.028), indicating that agreement was only slightly higher than by random chance. CONCLUSIONS Objective evidence through cup colour change suggests school girls in rural Africa can use menstrual cups, with uptake improving with peer group education and over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN17486946 . Retrospectively registered 09 December 2014.
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Nunes-Carneiro D, Couto T, Cavadas V. Is the menstrual cup harmless? A case report of an unusual cause of renal colic. Int J Surg Case Rep 2018; 46:28-30. [PMID: 29665512 PMCID: PMC6000733 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Menstrual cup is increasingly gaining acceptance among women to control the menstrual period. The majority of brands advocate that these devices are 100% safe to the users, notwithstanding there are some reports of rare complications associated with these devices. PRESENTATION OF CASE In this case we present a woman who developed a right renal colic using a menstrual cup. The pain was difficult to manage with conventional analgesics. The plain abdominal X-ray revealed the device in the pelvis occupying more than one third of the pelvis minor diameter and oriented to the right side. The ultrasound revealed right ureterohydronephrosis with no identifiable obstructive cause. The symptoms and the ureterohydronephrosis relieved completely after the removal of the device. DISCUSSION Despite of being a safe device, problems with the menstrual cup could occur and we believe that the mechanism behind this clinical picture was the extrinsic compression of the right ureter by the cup. The control of the pain in this patient was challenging and we managed the problem with the device removal. CONCLUSION The menstrual cup is gaining acceptance among women and it is important for clinicians to be aware of this device and possible complications associated with its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Nunes-Carneiro
- Urology Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 1, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Tiago Couto
- Radiology Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Cavadas
- Urology Department of Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal
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Muytjens CMJ, Yu Y, Diamandis EP. Discovery of Antimicrobial Peptides in Cervical-Vaginal Fluid from Healthy Nonpregnant Women via an Integrated Proteome and Peptidome Analysis. Proteomics 2017; 17. [PMID: 28941238 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201600461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) covers the lower part of the female reproductive system and functions in the homeostasis and immunity of the surrounding tissues. In contrast to the CVF proteome of both nonpregnant and pregnant women, the CVF peptidome has not been reported to date. In the current study, we identified 1087 proteins in CVF, of which 801 proteins were not previously identified in CVF proteomes. The presence of the tissue-specific proteins oviductal glycoprotein 1 and tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3 strongly suggests that the tissues of the upper female reproductive tract contribute to the protein composition of CVF. The tremendous catalytic potential of CVF was highlighted by the identification of 85 proteases and the detection of pH-dependent trypsin-like proteolytic activity. Over 1000 endogenous peptides were detected in the CVF peptidome, and 39 peptides are predicted to have antimicrobial activity. The detailed proteomic and peptidomic analysis of CVF will further aid in the delineation of pathways related to reproduction, immunity and host defense, and assist in developing new biomarkers for malignant and other diseases of the female reproductive tract. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD004450 (CVF peptidome) and PDX004363 (CVF proteome).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M J Muytjens
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yijing Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eleftherios P Diamandis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Health Network,, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Juma J, Nyothach E, Laserson KF, Oduor C, Arita L, Ouma C, Oruko K, Omoto J, Mason L, Alexander KT, Fields B, Onyango C, Phillips-Howard PA. Examining the safety of menstrual cups among rural primary school girls in western Kenya: observational studies nested in a randomised controlled feasibility study. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e015429. [PMID: 28473520 PMCID: PMC5566618 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the safety of menstrual cups against sanitary pads and usual practice in Kenyan schoolgirls. DESIGN Observational studies nested in a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study. SETTING 30 primary schools in a health and demographic surveillance system in rural western Kenya. PARTICIPANTS Menstruating primary schoolgirls aged 14-16 years participating in a menstrual feasibility study. INTERVENTIONS Insertable menstrual cup, monthly sanitary pads or 'usual practice' (controls). OUTCOME MEASURES Staphylococcus aureus vaginal colonization, Escherichia coli growth on sampled used cups, toxic shock syndrome or other adverse health outcomes. RESULTS Among 604 eligible girls tested, no adverse event or TSS was detected over a median 10.9 months follow-up. S. aureusprevalence was 10.8%, with no significant difference over intervention time or between groups. Of 65 S.aureus positives at first test, 49 girls were retested and 10 (20.4%) remained positive. Of these, two (20%) sample isolates tested positive for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1; both girls were provided pads and were clinically healthy. Seven per cent of cups required replacements for loss, damage, dropping in a latrine or a poor fit. Of 30 used cups processed for E. coli growth, 13 (37.1%, 95% CI 21.1% to 53.1%) had growth. E. coli growth was greatest in newer compared with established users (53%vs22.2%, p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS Among this feasibility sample, no evidence emerged to indicate menstrual cups are hazardous or cause health harms among rural Kenyan schoolgirls, but large-scale trials and post-marketing surveillance should continue to evaluate cup safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Juma
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kayla F Laserson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Clifford Oduor
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Lilian Arita
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Caroline Ouma
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kelvin Oruko
- Center for Global Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jackton Omoto
- Siaya District Hospital, Ministry of Health, Siaya, Kenya
| | - Linda Mason
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Barry Fields
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Clayton Onyango
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Jaumdally SZ, Jones HE, Hoover DR, Gamieldien H, Kriek JM, Langwenya N, Myer L, Passmore JAS, Todd CS. Comparison of sampling methods to measure HIV RNA viral load in female genital tract secretions. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 77. [PMID: 28111861 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM How does menstrual cup (MC) compare to other genital sampling methods for HIV RNA recovery? METHOD OF STUDY We compared HIV RNA levels between MC, endocervical swab (ECS), and ECS-enriched cervicovaginal lavage (eCVL) specimens in 51 HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy-naive women at enrollment, 3 and 6 months, with order rotated by visit. Paired comparisons were analyzed with McNemar's exact tests, signed-rank tests, and an extension of Somer's D for pooled analyses across visits. RESULTS MC specimens had the highest proportion of quantifiable HIV VL at enrollment and month 3, but more MC specimens (n=12.8%) were insufficient for testing, compared with ECS (2%, P=0.006) and eCVL (0%, P<0.001). Among sufficient specimens, median VL was significantly higher for MC (2.62 log10 copies/mL) compared to ECS (1.30 log10 copies/mL, P<0.001) and eCVL (1.60 log10 copies/mL, P<0.001) across visits. CONCLUSION MC may be more sensitive than eCVL and CVS, provided insufficient specimens are reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameem Z Jaumdally
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heidi E Jones
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
| | - Donald R Hoover
- Department of Statistics & Biostatistics, Rutgers The State University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Hoyam Gamieldien
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean-Mari Kriek
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nontokozo Langwenya
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town, South Africa
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Phillips-Howard PA, Nyothach E, Ter Kuile FO, Omoto J, Wang D, Zeh C, Onyango C, Mason L, Alexander KT, Odhiambo FO, Eleveld A, Mohammed A, van Eijk AM, Edwards RT, Vulule J, Faragher B, Laserson KF. Menstrual cups and sanitary pads to reduce school attrition, and sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study in rural Western Kenya. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e013229. [PMID: 27881530 PMCID: PMC5168542 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Conduct a feasibility study on the effect of menstrual hygiene on schoolgirls' school and health (reproductive/sexual) outcomes. DESIGN 3-arm single-site open cluster randomised controlled pilot study. SETTING 30 primary schools in rural western Kenya, within a Health and Demographic Surveillance System. PARTICIPANTS Primary schoolgirls 14-16 years, experienced 3 menses, no precluding disability, and resident in the study area. INTERVENTIONS 1 insertable menstrual cup, or monthly sanitary pads, against 'usual practice' control. All participants received puberty education preintervention, and hand wash soap during intervention. Schools received hand wash soap. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary: school attrition (drop-out, absence); secondary: sexually transmitted infection (STI) (Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea), reproductive tract infection (RTI) (bacterial vaginosis, Candida albicans); safety: toxic shock syndrome, vaginal Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS Of 751 girls enrolled 644 were followed-up for a median of 10.9 months. Cups or pads did not reduce school dropout risk (control=8.0%, cups=11.2%, pads=10.2%). Self-reported absence was rarely reported and not assessable. Prevalence of STIs in the end-of-study survey among controls was 7.7% versus 4.2% in the cups arm (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 0.48, 0.24 to 0.96, p=0.039), 4.5% with pads (aPR=0.62; 0.37 to 1.03, p=0.063), and 4.3% with cups and pads pooled (aPR=0.54, 0.34 to 0.87, p=0.012). RTI prevalence was 21.5%, 28.5% and 26.9% among cup, pad and control arms, 71% of which were bacterial vaginosis, with a prevalence of 14.6%, 19.8% and 20.5%, per arm, respectively. Bacterial vaginosis was less prevalent in the cups (12.9%) compared with pads (20.3%, aPR=0.65, 0.44 to 0.97, p=0.034) and control (19.2%, aPR=0.67, 0.43 to 1.04, p=0.075) arm girls enrolled for 9 months or longer. No adverse events were identified. CONCLUSIONS Provision of menstrual cups and sanitary pads for ∼1 school-year was associated with a lower STI risk, and cups with a lower bacterial vaginosis risk, but there was no association with school dropout. A large-scale trial on menstrual cups is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN17486946; Results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope A Phillips-Howard
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth Nyothach
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Feiko O Ter Kuile
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jackton Omoto
- Siaya District Hospital, Ministry of Health, Siaya, Kenya
| | - Duolao Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
| | - Clement Zeh
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Kenya, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Clayton Onyango
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Kenya, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Linda Mason
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
| | - Kelly T Alexander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
| | - Frank O Odhiambo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Alie Eleveld
- Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Aisha Mohammed
- Division of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna M van Eijk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
| | | | - John Vulule
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Brian Faragher
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
| | - Kayla F Laserson
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Beksinska ME, Smit J, Greener R, Todd CS, Lee MLT, Maphumulo V, Hoffmann V. Acceptability and performance of the menstrual cup in South Africa: a randomized crossover trial comparing the menstrual cup to tampons or sanitary pads. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2015; 24:151-8. [PMID: 25682816 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2014.5021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low-income settings, many women and girls face activity restrictions during menses, owing to lack of affordable menstrual products. The menstrual cup (MC) is a nonabsorbent reusable cup that collects menstrual blood. We assessed the acceptability and performance of the MPower® MC compared to pads or tampons among women in a low-resource setting. METHODS We conducted a randomized two-period crossover trial at one site in Durban, South Africa, between January and November 2013. Participants aged 18-45 years with regular menstrual cycles were eligible for inclusion if they had no intention of becoming pregnant, were using an effective contraceptive method, had water from the municipal system as their primary water source, and had no sexually transmitted infections. We used a computer-generated randomization sequence to assign participants to one of two sequences of menstrual product use, with allocation concealed only from the study investigators. Participants used each method over three menstrual cycles (total 6 months) and were interviewed at baseline and monthly follow-up visits. The product acceptability outcome compared product satisfaction question scores using an ordinal logistic regression model with individual random effects. This study is registered on the South African Clinical Trials database: number DOH-27-01134273. RESULTS Of 124 women assessed, 110 were eligible and randomly assigned to selected menstrual products. One hundred and five women completed all follow-up visits. By comparison to pads/tampons (usual product used), the MC was rated significantly better for comfort, quality, menstrual blood collection, appearance, and preference. Both of these comparative outcome measures, along with likelihood of continued use, recommending the product, and future purchase, increased for the MC over time. CONCLUSION MC acceptance in a population of novice users, many with limited experience with tampons, indicates that there is a pool of potential users in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mags E Beksinska
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health Research, University of the Witwatersrand , Durban, South Africa
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Acceptability and feasibility of repeated mucosal specimen collection in clinical trial participants in Kenya. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110228. [PMID: 25360819 PMCID: PMC4215886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal specimens are essential to evaluate compartmentalized immune responses to HIV vaccine candidates and other mucosally targeted investigational products. We studied the acceptability and feasibility of repeated mucosal sampling in East African clinical trial participants at low risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. METHODS AND FINDINGS The Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) enrolled participants into three Phase 1 trials of preventive HIV candidate vaccines in 2011-2012 at two clinical research centers in Nairobi. After informed consent to a mucosal sub-study, participants were asked to undergo collection of mucosal secretions (saliva, oral fluids, semen, cervico-vaginal and rectal), but could opt out of any collection at any visit. Specimens were collected at baseline and two additional time points. A tolerability questionnaire was administered at the final sub-study visit. Of 105 trial participants, 27 of 34 women (79%) and 62 of 71 men (87%) enrolled in the mucosal sub-study. Nearly all sub-study participants gave saliva and oral fluids at all visits. Semen was collected from about half the participating men (47-48%) at all visits. Cervico-vaginal secretions were collected by Softcup from about two thirds of women (63%) at baseline, increasing to 78% at the following visits, with similar numbers for cervical secretion collection by Merocel sponge; about half of women (52%) gave cervico-vaginal samples at all visits. Rectal secretions were collected with Merocel sponge from about a quarter of both men and women (24%) at all 3 visits, with 16% of men and 19% of women giving rectal samples at all visits. CONCLUSIONS Repeated mucosal sampling in clinical trial participants in Kenya is feasible, with a good proportion of participants consenting to most sampling methods with the exception of rectal samples. Experienced staff members of both sexes and trained counselors with standardized messaging may improve acceptance of rectal sampling.
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Grose RG, Grabe S. Sociocultural attitudes surrounding menstruation and alternative menstrual products: the explanatory role of self-objectification. Health Care Women Int 2014; 35:677-94. [PMID: 24527840 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.888721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We extend objectification theory research to consider the relationship between self-objectification and attitudes toward an alternative menstrual product in a diverse sample of female undergraduates from the United States (N = 151). We use a survey design to investigate attitudes toward one's menstruation as a potential mechanism that may explain this relationship. Reactions to an alternative menstrual product were predominantly negative, supporting prior research on stigma and shame surrounding menstruation. Exploratory structural equation modeling revealed attitudes toward one's menstruation mediated the relationship between self-objectification and participants' reactions to an alternative menstrual product. Implications for women's health are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Grace Grose
- a Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz , Santa Cruz , California , USA
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