Barriers to Women's Menstrual Hygiene Practices during Recurrent Disasters and Displacement: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disaster Management
• Women's Health

Background:

• Disasters causing displacement pose significant risks to personal and menstrual hygiene.
• Poor hygiene during such events increases the likelihood of infections and other health issues for women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the menstrual hygiene challenges faced by internally displaced women in Pakistan.
• To understand the impact of recurrent natural disasters and displacement on women's menstrual health in a low-middle-income country.

Main Methods:

• A critical ethnographic study was conducted in disaster-relief camps in northern Pakistan.
• Data collection involved field observations, media report analysis, and in-depth interviews with 18 women.

Main Results:

• Key barriers identified include inadequate housing, lack of infrastructure, insufficient humanitarian aid, absence of waste disposal systems, and lack of women-friendly spaces.
• These factors critically impede personal and menstrual hygiene management for displaced women.

Conclusions:

• Effective interventions require community-based collaboration.
• A comprehensive menstrual response must include supplies, facilities, waste management, education, and culturally appropriate spaces to ensure women's health and well-being during disasters.