ArticlePloS one2018
A qualitative exploration of menstruation-related restrictive practices in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Article in PloS one, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 65 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pooled it
- Women's and girls' experiences of menstruation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis.PLoS medicine · 2019Pooled it
- Time to Diagnose for Adolescent Endometriosis in West Java, Indonesia Population: A Single Centre 2 Years Retrospective Descriptive Study.International journal of women's health · 2026Article
- Youth insights on menstrual health and hygiene in Burkina Faso; a comparison of written versus spoken qualitative text.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Menstrual blood and ritual beliefs: a qualitative study on menstrual health and hygiene practices among senior high school girls in Volta Region, Ghana.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- Beyond the Cycle: Investigating the Relationship Between Menstrual Hygiene Factors, Family Economic Stability, and Depression Among Adolescent Girls in Uganda-A 24 Month Mixed-Effects Regression Analysis of the Suubi4Her Trial.International journal of women's health · 2025Article
- Article
- Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among high school and preparatory school adolescent students in Debre Markos town, Northwest, Ethiopia: a mixed-method study.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Exploring the practice of Iranian adolescent females during menstruation and related beliefs: a qualitative study.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Systematic review of the effectiveness of menstrual health interventions in low- and middle-income countries in the East Asia and Pacific region.The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia · 2024Article
- The experiences of menstrual symptom changes among international students studying in China during the acculturation period: A phenomenology study.International journal of nursing sciences · 2023Article
- Socio-cultural implications for women's menstrual health in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs): a scoping review.Reproductive health · 2022Article
- Rural-urban variation in exclusion from social activities due to menstruation among adolescent girls and young women in Ghana.Heliyon · 2022Article
- Adolescent girls' experiences of menstruation and schooling in monastic schools in Magway Region, Myanmar: A mixed-methods exploration.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2022Article
- "The weather is not good": exploring the menstrual health experiences of menstruators with and without disabilities in Vanuatu.The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific · 2022Article
- Article
- Menstrual food restrictions and taboos: A qualitative study on rural, resettlement and urban indigenous Temiar of Malaysia.PloS one · 2022Article
- Menstrual health challenges in the workplace and consequences for women's work and wellbeing: A cross-sectional survey in Mukono, Uganda.PLOS global public health · 2022Article
- 'Making of a Strong Woman': a constructivist grounded theory of the experiences of young women around menarche in Papua New Guinea.BMC women's health · 2021Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 7 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Attitudes and beliefs about menstruation can place restrictions on menstruating women and girls, limiting their ability to fully participate in community life, education and employment. This paper presents evidence on menstruation-related beliefs contributing to restrictive practices in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands (SI) and Fiji. Focus group discussions and interviews were undertaken with 307 adolescent girls, women and men in a rural and urban site in each country. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Participants described a range of attitudes and beliefs that restrict the behaviour of menstruating women and girls. Themes include the belief that menstrual blood is 'dirty'; that when menstruating, girls and women can bring 'bad luck' to men; secrecy and shame associated with menstruation; and beliefs about the impact of certain behaviours on menstruation and health. Restrictive practices were more frequently reported in PNG and SI than Fiji, and more common in rural compared with urban sites. Some restrictions, such as avoidance of household chores, were perceived as desirable or driven by women themselves. However participants identified other restrictions, such as not being able to attend church or hygienically wash menstrual hygiene materials, as unwanted, in some cases impacting on participation in school, work and community life. Education initiatives guided by women and girls, implemented by local stakeholders and grounded in a sound understanding of specific contexts are needed to address discriminatory attitudes and beliefs that contribute to unwanted restrictions, and to support enabling attitudes and beliefs regarding menstruation.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.