title: Emotional and psychosocial aspects of menstrual poverty in resource-poor settings: a qualitative study of the experiences of adolescent girls in an informal settlement in Nairobi.
abstract: We introduce the concept of "menstrual poverty" to categorize the multiple deprivations relating to menstruation in resource-poor settings across the Global South, and we examine how this affects the psychological well-being of adolescent girls in an urban informal settlement in Kenya. We use qualitative data collected through 34 in-depth interviews and 18 focus group discussions with girls, women, and key informants. Menstrual poverty involved practical and psychosocial challenges affecting girls at home and at school. Its emotional impacts included anxiety, embarrassment, fear of stigma, and low mood. Further research is needed on how menstrual poverty affects girls' psychological and educational outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, UK. joanna.crichton@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crichton
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okal
authors.forename: Caroline W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kabiru
authors.forename: Eliya Msiyaphazi
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zulu
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D008598:Menstruation / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult