Rodríguez-Camacho MF, Sanchís-Ramón MJ, Ortiz-Barreda G, La Parra-Casado D, Gil-González D. Menarche and reproductive health in Spanish Roma women from a reproductive justice perspective: a qualitative study.
Reprod Health 2024;
21:17. [PMID:
38308316 PMCID:
PMC10837920 DOI:
10.1186/s12978-023-01726-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Roma women about their experience of menarche and reproductive health considering the principles of reproductive justice.
DESIGN
Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with Roma women ages 18 through 67 in different neighborhoods in the southeast of Spain. Using a thematic analysis, we analyzed experiences related to menarche and menstruation and their significance for reproductive health, the preparation for the phase of menarche and intergenerational support.
RESULTS
The Roma women interviewed shared their approach to the experiences of menarche and menstruation as children in their family environments with a focus on access to information provided by other women in the family and community for reproductive health management. In their discourses we observed that the onset of menstruation supposes a rupture in the public and private spaces of girls and women.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that women and girls do not gain access to information that contributes to their reproductive wellbeing through their experience of menarche. Access to resources and skills to manage biological changes in adolescents could contribute to reducing the impact of cultural myths, false ideas and taboos that prevent advocacy and empowerment on issues of reproductive justice.
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