Menstrual hygiene management in flood-affected Bangladesh: addressing socio-cultural barriers, infrastructure gaps, and policy responses

作者：Al-Mamun M, Kalam A, Karim MZ, Alam M, Khan TH · 发表于：Frontiers in public health · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fpubh.2025.1538447 · 被引用次数：42 · 研究领域：Bangladesh、floods and menstrual health、menstrual hygiene in emergencies、menstrual hygiene management (MHM)、women and girls

Women and adolescent girls in flood-prone regions of Bangladesh face significant challenges in managing menstrual hygiene, which severely impacts their health, dignity, and well-being. This study investigates the socio-cultural, infrastructural, and policy barriers to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) during floods in the districts of Noakhali, Feni, Barisal, Khulna, and Satkhira. Conducted from June to October 2024, the research employed a purposive sampling approach, with 30 in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted with women and adolescent girls directly affected by the floods. Additionally, 12 key informant interviews (KIIs) were carried out with healthcare workers, NGO representatives, and policymakers, alongside field observations in temporary shelters and relief centers. The findings highlight critical barriers, including the lack of accessible and private sanitation facilities in shelters, compounded by inadequate supplies of menstrual hygiene products. In temporary shelters, the absence of specialized toilets and waste disposal systems for menstruation forces women to resort to unhygienic alternatives such as cloth, leaves, or newspapers, leading to increased health risks. Socio-cultural taboos surrounding menstruation further restrict access to proper hygiene materials and support, intensifying the challenges. Moreover, disaster management systems fail to incorporate menstrual hygiene needs, leaving women and girls particularly vulnerable during floods. The study recom...