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Adolescent Menstrual Health Literacy in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: A Narrative Review
Kathryn Holmes1, Christina Curry1, Sherry1
1Centre for Educational Research, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Adolescents globally face challenges with menstrual health literacy. This review highlights distinct issues in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) versus high-income countries (HICs), emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Global Health
Background:
- Poor menstrual health literacy negatively affects adolescent well-being and health outcomes worldwide.
- Adolescents' understanding of menstruation significantly impacts their quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and identify key concerns regarding menstrual health literacy.
- To compare these concerns between low/middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs).
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of peer-reviewed papers was conducted.
- Searches covered relevant social science and medical databases.
- Data from 61 studies published between January 2008 and January 2020 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- LMICs reported significant impacts on adolescent menstrual hygiene and cultural practices.
- HICs showed a greater frequency of reported issues concerning pain management and long-term health.
- Distinct regional differences in menstrual health literacy concerns were identified.
Conclusions:
- Developing appropriate policies is crucial for enhancing menstrual health literacy in both LMICs and HICs.
- Multi-stakeholder input is essential for creating evidence-based, cost-effective interventions.
- Addressing specific regional concerns will improve adolescent menstrual health globally.
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