ArticleBMJ open2023
A mixed-methods study measuring the effectiveness of a menstrual health intervention on menstrual health knowledge, perceptions and practices among young women in Zimbabwe.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT03719521 (Community Based Interventions to Improve HIV Outcomes in Youth), which is not on this map. Cited by 8 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Community Based Interventions to Improve HIV Outcomes in Youth: a Cluster Randomised Trial in Zimbabwe (CHIEDZA)
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- "Healthy bodies, healthy minds": barriers and solutions to implementing a menstrual hygiene management program in South Sudan.Reproductive health · 2026Article
- Linking knowledge, belief and awareness of menstrual cycle with oral health in young India women.Bioinformation · 2026Article
- Socioeconomic inequalities and its spatial pattern in sanitary napkin use in Bangladesh: evidence from the 2019 multiple indicator cluster survey.Population health metrics · 2025Article
- Unmet menstrual needs and psychosocial well-being among schoolgirls in Northern Tanzania: baseline results from the PASS MHW study.BMC women's health · 2024Article
- Article
- High uptake of menstrual health information, products and analgesics within an integrated sexual reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe.Reproductive health · 2024Article
- Spatiotemporal change in socioeconomic inequality in hygienic menstrual product use among adolescent girls in India during 2015-2019.International journal for equity in health · 2023Article
- High uptake of menstrual health information, products and analgesics within an integrated sexual reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe.Research square · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
16 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesWhile integral to women's physical and mental well-being, achieving good menstrual health (MH) remains a challenge for many women. This study investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive MH intervention on menstrual knowledge, perceptions and practices among women aged 16-24 years in Harare, Zimbabwe.
designA mixed-methods prospective cohort study with pre-post evaluation of an MH intervention.
settingTwo intervention clusters in Harare, Zimbabwe.
participantsOverall, 303 female participants were recruited, of whom 189 (62.4%) were seen at midline (median follow-up 7.0; IQR 5.8-7.7 months) and 184 (60.7%) were seen at endline (median follow-up 12.4; IQR 11.9-13.8 months). Cohort follow-up was greatly affected by COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.
interventionThe MH intervention provided MH education and support, analgesics, and a choice of menstrual products in a community-based setting to improve MH outcomes among young women in Zimbabwe. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Effectiveness of a comprehensive MH intervention on improving MH knowledge, perceptions, and practices among young women over time. Quantitative questionnaire data were collected at baseline, midline, and endline. At endline, thematic analysis of four focus group discussions was used to further explore participants' menstrual product use and experiences of the intervention.
resultsAt midline, more participants had correct/positive responses for MH knowledge (adjusted OR (aOR)=12.14; 95% CI: 6.8 to 21.8), perceptions (aOR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.6 to 5.1) and practices for reusable pads (aOR=4.68; 95% CI: 2.3 to 9.6) than at baseline. Results were similar comparing endline with baseline for all MH outcomes. Qualitative findings showed that sociocultural norms, stigma and taboos around menstruation, and environmental factors such as limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities affected the effect of the intervention on MH outcomes.
conclusionsThe intervention improved MH knowledge, perceptions and practices among young women in Zimbabwe, and the comprehensive nature of the intervention was key to this. MH interventions should address interpersonal, environmental and societal factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03719521.
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