The impact of natural disasters among adolescent girls on their menstrual hygiene management in Mulanje district
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Date
2022-05-09
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Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study:
The study design for this study is qualitative, which will employ an explorative approach. A qualitative study will be conducted with men, women, boys and girls in the Mulanje district. The investigator will explore the beliefs, taboos associated with menstruation, materials and disposal areas used during a natural disaster, the role of men and boys in MHM during natural disasters and inclusive approaches to shelter and settlements initiatives for MHM in emergencies/natural disasters.
The problem:
Malawi faces natural disasters periodically. The most related are weather-related shocks, for instance, floods, i.e., Cyclone Idai Cyclone Ana. The Cyclone idai developed in Mozambique and it brought strong winds and caused severe flooding in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. In Malawi, it affected 13 districts, including the Mulanje district and two cities in the southern region and two districts in the central region of Malawi. The flooding affected the mental health, social-economical, livelihoods, infrastructure and even death.
Women and girls face challenges accessing the bathrooms and toilets when they dislocate to camps during natural disasters. Lack of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) inclusive shelters for settlement hinders girls’ privacy and safety. The inadequacy of facilities and material, i.e. buckets for girls to bath, wash and take care of themselves when menstruating, is worrisome. There are no drying areas of their sanitary materials and drainage systems at the camping sites. In a quest to bring solutions towards MHM, humanitarian agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and government focus mainly on technical solutions limited to the distribution of sanitary pads and provision of water. The beliefs and taboos associated with menstruation continue to affect how girls and women manage menstruation.
In addition to that women and girls lack support from men and boys especially in patriarchal societies. Boys engage in period teasing whilst men inadequately support the women and girls in allocation of finances to buy sanitary products, hence a need for males to become advocates for MHM alongside women.
Study objectives:
The study's main objective is to explore the impact of natural disasters on the menstrual
hygiene management of adolescent girls and women in Mulanje. The specific objectives
include 1) To identify the material used and disposal practices for adolescent girls as in
regards to the MHM during natural disasters, 2) To describe the role of Men and Boys in
MHM during natural disasters/ Emergencies 3) To explore beliefs, attitudes, taboos and
practices associated with MHM during natural disasters and 4) To describe inclusive
approaches to shelter and settlements initiatives for MHM in emergencies/natural disasters when natural disasters occur.
Methodology:
The investigator will employ focus group discussion (FGDs) with boys, girls, and women and men. Key informant interviews (KII) will be conducted with disaster and youth officers,mother group members and chiefs. The investigator will focus on the structural issues (social and environmental, policy, interventions issues), beliefs, attitudes, taboos and practices associated with MHM during natural disasters.
A multi-stage sampling technique will be employed to develop clusters depending on the geographical location of the participants. A purposive sampling approach will follow to select the Traditional Authorities (TAs) to be part of the study. The structural vulnerability conceptual framework will help the investigator think more clearly, critically, and practically about how social structures, local hierarchies, and external and internal environmental factors affect girls’ menstrual management.
There will be 16 FDGs and 6 KII. The total sample size is 102 (28men, 26women, 24boys and 24girls). The investigator will hire experienced 6 research assistants (3 female, 3male). The research assistants will participate in data collection tools, transcription, and analysis. Data collection tools have been developed in Chichewa and English. The data will be analyzed by Nvivo data package, which uses thematic data analysis.
Expected findings and dissemination
This study will provide evidence-based information on responding to MHM and planning
other programme initiatives during emergencies. The findings will be disseminated to various stakeholders to integrate the information into their disaster response plans. Presentation of findings will be made to Mulanje district health office, public health departmental college meetings, College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC), District Executive committee (DEC) and finally at the community level in Mulanje.
Description
Keywords
Menstrual hygiene management