Improving menstrual hygiene management in emergency contexts: literature review of current perspectives.

Management of menstruation in contexts of humanitarian emergencies can be challenging. A lack of empirical research about effective interventions which improve menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among female populations in humanitarian emergencies and a lack of clarity about which sectors within a humanitarian response should deliver MHM interventions can both be attributable to the lack of clear guidance on design and delivery of culturally appropriate MHM intervention in settings of humanitarian emergencies. The objective of this review was to collate, summarize, and appraise existing peer-reviewed and gray literature that describes the current scenario of MHM in emergency contexts in order to describe the breadth and depth of current policies, guidelines, empirical research, and humanitarian aid activities addressing populations' menstrual needs. A structured-search strategy was conducted for peer-reviewed and gray literature to identify studies, published reports, guidelines, and policy papers related to menstrual response in emergency humanitarian contexts. Of the 51 articles included in the review, 16 were peer-reviewed papers and 35 were gray literature. Most of the literature agreed that hardware interventions should focus on the supply of adequate material (not only absorbent material but also other supportive material) and adequate sanitation facilities, with access to water and private space for washing, changing, drying, and disposing menstrual materials. Software interventions should focus on education in the usage of materials to manage menstruation hygienically and education about the female body's biological processes. There was clear agreement that the needs of the target population should be assessed before designing any intervention. Although there is insight about which factors should be included in an effective menstrual hygiene intervention, there is insufficient empirical evidence to establish which interventions are most effective in humanitarian emergencies and which sectors should be responsible for the coordination and implementation of such. Increased monitoring and evaluation studies of interventions should be completed and publicly shared, in order to feed evidence-based guidelines in the humanitarian sector.

Background

Menstrual hygiene as a public health issue

Menstruation is a biological process that approximately half the world’s population experiences for a significant period of their lifetime. Adequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has been defined as women and adolescent girls using clean menstrual material to absorb or collect menstrual blood. The girls must be able to change the absorbent in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstrual cycle, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and they should have access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials.1

In 2016, Sommer et al2 added aspects of education and dignity to this definition, expressing importance that females “understand the basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without discomfort or fear.” Developments leading to the acceptance of MHM as a public health issue have been well lineated,3,4 with roots embedded in the educational impact on girls in low- and middle-income countries. Beyond the educational impact of MHM lay issues of gender-based violence, health outcomes, and human rights among vulnerable populations. With an increase in conflict-related displacement in recent years, the consequences of inadequate access to menstrual hygiene (MH) requirements should continue to be considered in humanitarian responses aimed at assisting these vulnerable populations.

MH in emergency contexts

In 2016, 10.3 million people were newly displaced, increasing the global total to 65.6 million individuals who had been forced from their homes.5 This number continues to grow significantly in 2017, as ongoing insecurities in Africa and the Middle East continue and new, massive displacement erupts in Southeast Asia. As populations flee insecurity, they are often forced to leave with few possessions, travel difficult routes, and live in precarious situations for significant periods of time. Biological processes do not generally cease during these times, and managing menstruation can be an additional challenge for displaced females. A loss of normal coping strategies, changes in socioeconomic status, being faced with new prioritization dilemmas, changes in the physical and social environment, and a lack of access to structural and material sanitation needs can compound MHM issues among displaced populations. It has been argued6 that MHM goes beyond water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) responses, and that a cross-sector approach must be taken to ensure that humanitarian actions meet women’s MH needs in emergency contexts.

Humanitarian response for improved MH

Menstrual needs have appeared in humanitarian aid discussions since 1994, and have become a more widely discussed topic in recent years,3,4,6 which has led to definition of the term “menstrual hygiene management” and identification of components of an adequate MHM response.1 The overarching goal of MHM interventions is to ensure that menstruating females are able to manage this healthy biological process in a sustainable, hygienic, and dignified manner.1,7 Sommer et al6 outlined the components of the holistic response required to improve MHM among women and girls in emergency settings, which included three essential components: access to appropriate menstrual material and additional supportive material for storage, washing, and drying; adequate infrastructure for water, sanitation, changing areas, and waste-disposal mechanisms; and menstrual health education and promotion. Continuous consultation with female beneficiaries during the intervention design and implementation phases overarch this holistic approach.8

Although interest and action toward providing appropriate means for MHM in humanitarian crises are gaining traction in the aid sector, several recent reviews of both academic and gray literature have highlighted significant gaps in examining MH in vulnerable populations.6,9–12 The most recent literature review by Sommer et al6 identified a lack of existing peer-reviewed evidence examining effective MHM approaches in emergencies. Despite improvements, a lack of clarity on the required key components of a complete MHM response and the most effective interventions to adapt in emergency contexts continued to exist6 until late 2017 with the release of a comprehensive MHM toolkit.8 Understanding the cultural beliefs and practices of populations, examining menstrual product appropriateness in specific contexts, adapting interventions adequately to the physical environment, proper coordination of actors, and clear guidance for monitoring and evaluating programs are among the gaps identified. In order to deliver efficient and effective interventions, there is a need for clear guidelines that capture beneficiaries’ needs in differing contexts, with consideration of cultural practices, requirements for designing appropriate interventions, delivery systems, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools.

Aim and objective

This literature review aims to identify peer-reviewed and gray literature discussing MHM in emergency contexts with an objective of describing the breadth and depth of current policies, guidelines, empirical research, and humanitarian aid activities addressing populations’ menstrual needs. The aim of the paper is not to provide a critical appraisal of the included studies, but a summary of issues for consideration, and consensus in approaches to addressing MHM in emergency contexts.

Materials and methods

A literature search was conducted between June 23 and October 23, 2017. Search terms were adapted according to the database, and included the terms “menstrual hygiene,” “menstrua*,” “refugee,” “IDP,” “displace*,” “emergenc*,” and “crisis.” Four databases were searched: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Discover, ReliefWeb, Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, and Google Scholar. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Discover database includes searches of the databases PubMed, CAB Abstracts, Embase, and Global Health via Ovid SP. References and authors of key documents were consulted for additional resources. See Table 1 for details of search terms by database.

Table 1

Literature-search terms by database

LSHTM Discover

• (Menstrual hygiene or MHM) AND (refugee or displace* or emergenc* or crisis)

ReliefWeb

• Menstrual hygiene

Sustainable Sanitation Alliance Library

• Menstrual hygiene

Google Scholar

• “Menstrual hygiene” AND “emergency”

Abbreviations: LSHTM, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; MHM, menstrual hygiene management.

Inclusion criteria and restrictions set for this search were as follows:

restricted to English language

restricted to emergency contexts and/or broad, cross-context documents

no date restriction

no study-participant age restriction

no restriction on study or publication type.

Results

The literature search did not include a date limit to ensure as wide a range of articles were identified as possible, but it included all articles found up until October 23, 2017. In total, 1,202 documents were returned in an initial search and hand searching providing an additional nine entries. Exclusion of 1,055 documents which did not show any relevance to the research topic occurred after reviewing titles and abstract. The remaining 147 documents were more closely examined, and 75 were rejected for a focus on subjects unrelated to MHM in emergency humanitarian contexts. Articles containing only minor points quoted from primary sources already returned in the search were also rejected. In total, 51 documents were included in this review. See Figure 1 for a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) flowchart of search results.

Figure 1

PRISMA flowchart of search.

Abbreviation: PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

Description of articles included in the review

Of the 51 articles included in the review, 16 were peer-reviewed papers, 35 were gray literature. Nine of the peer-reviewed papers (see Table 2) were original research studies and seven were literature reviews (not shown in tables). From the gray literature, 4 were master’s theses, 11 guidelines (see Table 3), and 20 nongovernmental organization (NGO) reports (communications, policy briefs, evaluations, and case studies).

Table 2

Peer-reviewed papers (excluding literature reviews)

Paper	Setting	Design	Population and sample size	Supportive menstrual material	Sanitation infrastructure	Knowledge and education	Health	Social context	Gaps between policy and practice
Benner et al17	Thailand (Burmese refugees)	Cross-sectional/qualitative study	15- to 24-year-olds: n=397 (cross-sectional), n=19 (qualitative)	Not enough underwear	Lack of appropriate facilities for drying undergarments	Little information given from mothers to daughters about menstruation
Balsara et al18	Pakistan (refugee camps for Afghans in Haripur)	Cross-sectional and qualitative study	Afghan women presenting at basic health units in refugee camps (n=634)	Most (92%) women used a washed old cloth or rag to absorb menstrual flow, 1% used an unwashed old cloth, and 5% reported not using anything at all			Suspected pelvic inflammatory disease higher in women who used nothing (33%) or used an unwashed cloth (27%) vs those who used a washed cloth to absorb menses (13.3%, P=0.003)
Parker et al19	IDP camps, Uganda	Qualitative study	Women, girls, head teachers, and health workers	Almost all women used cloth. Difficulty in procuring cloth in camps, and women had to resort to using rags found outside the home. All women preferred using well-fitting underpants to hold material in place, but expensive and difficult to obtain	No camps had enough privacy to cope with their menstrual periods hygienically or with dignity (broken or absent doors on latrines and bathing shelters), which forced women to wash and change rapidly or in the dark. The cloths were then hung indoors on the eaves of their dwellings, sometimes covered with another loth to hide it from other family members	The primary route of education about MHM is through schools. In all the schools, girls were taught about menstruation, though the quantity and quality of teaching varied significantly
Krause et al20	Jordan (Zaatri Camp and Irbid City)	Qualitative study to evaluate an intervention (provision of menstrual material)		Providers and service users indicated uneven and inadequate availability of services and supplies related to MH
Budhathoki et al21	Nepal (postearthquake)	Personal view		Suggestion about using a menstrual local kit that contained four pieces of cotton cloth, two undergarments, and one bar of soap sealed in a biodegradable bag
Thapa and Acharya22	Nepal (postearthquake)	Personal view		At least provision of reusable sanitary towels could be a good response		Provision of counseling services and formation of psychosocial support groups and women’s self-help groups could have big impact on the well-being of girls and women in times of natural disasters		Women from traditional Nepalese society were too constrained and vulnerable, either to ask for help or to protect themselves from harm	MH received low priority, due to the overwhelming need for water, food, and shelter in such crisis situations
Hawkey et al23	Canada and Australia (migrants and refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, and varying South American countries)	Qualitative study	Migrants in the last 10 years (aged 18–70 years): n=160					All participants expressed negative constructions of the material event of menarche and menstruation, drawing on broader cultural discourse, positioning it as shameful, something to be concealed, and polluting	Identifying how menstruation is experienced by migrant and refugee women is essential for the provision of culturally safe reproductive health care, health-promotion activities, and school-based education, and is important for the development of wider SRH education of newly migrated women
Schmitt et al24	Myanmar (IDPs) and Lebanon (refugees from informal settlements and host communities)	Qualitative study	Women, girls, and NGO informants (n=176)	Types of materials used change after displacement, and depend on: types of materials provided (included in NFIs are disposable sanitary pads and other supportive materials [underwear and soap]); the ability to wash/dry reusable materials or dispose of disposable materials	Inadequate safe, private spaces for changing menstrual materials			Inadequate consultation with beneficiaries on menstrual practices, and willingness from beneficiaries in both sites to share their MHM needs	Insufficient guidance provided by response staff to beneficiaries on the basics of MHM; inadequate cross-sector coordination on the content and timing of MHM responses
de Lange et al25	South Sudan (refugee camp in Jamam, Maban County)	Evaluation of a tool for designing sanitation facilities for women	Women and girls older than 5 years: control, n=737; Intervention, n=1,396		Using the tool was a quick/easy way to consult women about the design of facilities that resulted in increased usage				More experience with the tool is needed in a variety of emergency settings to make further improvements

Abbreviations: IDP, internally displaced person; NGO, nongovernmental organization; MH, menstrual hygiene; MHM, MH management; NFIs, nonfood items; SRH, sexual reproductive health.

Table 3

Guidelines that include MHM content in relation to emergency settings

Source	Assessment tool and program-design advice	Type of program/intervention recommended		M&E indicators
		Hardware	Software
United Nations Population Fund52	Interventions to be adapted based on the phase of the emergency; identify at-risk groups, mapping of reproductive health services, and determine the MH practices and resources available for supply; engage adolescents in design, delivery, and monitoring of sexual and reproductive health services	During the emergency phase, provide at minimum sanitary materials to adolescent girls; when emergency has stabilized, teachers and school nurses can act as community distributors of MH materials	During the emergency phase, provide information on what sexual and reproductive services are available and how to access them; ensure access to adolescent-friendly information on sexual and reproductive health, both informally and formally; when emergency has stabilized, teachers or school nurses should be trained to deliver health curricula incorporating education on puberty and menstruation; health-care providers can utilize the home and relationship, education and employment, activity and hobbies, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, sex and relationships, self-harm, depression and self-image, safety and abuse (HEADSSS) tool for adolescent assessments, which includes questions on menstruation, and menstrual management practices	No specific indicators presented, although there is mention of developing a M&E plan; ensure that feedback mechanisms are in place and ensure adolescents are involved in the implementation, M&E of sexual/reproductive health programs
Inter-agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises47	At the onset of an emergency, implement Minimum Initial Services Package; as situation stabilizes, conduct a needs assessment in collaboration with other actors to inform adolescent reproductive health planning	Minimum Initial Services Package includes ensuring that culturally appropriate menstrual protection materials are distributed to women and girls; ensure safe, sex-specific hygiene facilities are available in schools; provide girls with cloth or other culturally appropriate sanitary materials for use during menstruation	When developing education programs, involve people of different backgrounds, assess the needs and assets of the target group, design activities consistent with community values and available resources, and pilot the program; train educators who can relate to youth, secure local support, provide a safe learning environment	No specific indicators provided related to MHM, although chapter dedicated to methods for M&E
United Nations Children’s Fund53	Ensure that the rights and needs of girls to a safe water supply, sanitation, and hygiene are included in the WASH response plan, budget, and appeal documents, and ensure that women are provided priority access to safe water of appropriate quality and quantity	Schools should provide special latrines for girls, with doors that close and lock from the inside, cloth to make pads or reusable rags, laundry soap for washing, a private space to wash, dry (in sunlight) and store cloths, soap and water for hand and body washing, a private space to recover from menstrual pain	Provide education to help older girls understand that it is OK to talk about menstruation and to be at school during their period; this education should be for older girls only, and provided by a female teacher	Monitoring should occur on a regular basis through reviewing how girls are getting on with managing menstruation at school
Women’s Refugee Commission54	Important first to talk with women and girls to learn what they typically use for menstrual protection	Important to ensure that culturally appropriate menstrual protection materials (usually packed with other toiletries in hygiene kits) are distributed to women and girls		Number of hygiene kits distributed
Sphere Project36	Women and girls should be consulted on what is culturally appropriate; initial needs-assessment checklist includes questions of how women manage menstruation and the availability of appropriate materials or facilities for management; consult and obtain the approval of all users (especially women and people with limited mobility) on the location, design, and appropriateness of sanitation facilities	Women and girls of menstruating age, including schoolgirls, should have access to suitable materials for the absorption and disposal of menstrual blood; basic hygiene items include acceptable materials for MH, and should be distributed at a frequency of one per person per month; consider inclusion of monthly provision of underwear for females of menstruating age; latrines should include provision for appropriate disposal of menstrual material or private washing facilities; provisions for discreet laundering and disposal of menstrual materials must be made; include at water-distribution points and community laundry facilities private washing basins and laundry areas for women to wash and dry undergarments and sanitary cloths	Disaster-affected population involved in identifying and promoting use of hygiene items to ensure personal hygiene, health, dignity, and well-being; all women, men, and children have access to information and training on safe use of hygiene items unfamiliar to them	Women and girls have access to hygiene items, and these are used effectively to maintain health, dignity, and well-being; all women have access to information and training on the safe use of hygiene items unfamiliar to them; information on timing, location, content, and target groups for NFI distribution made available to affected population; minimum of one washing basin per 100 people and private laundering and bathing areas available for women; enough water made available for bathing and laundry; all people satisfied with adequate facilities they have for water collection, storage, bathing, hand washing and laundry; toilets appropriately designed, built and located, to allow for disposal of women’s MH materials and provide women with necessary privacy for washing and drying MH materials
Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies51	Coordination between education, protection, shelter, water, sanitation, health, and psychosocial sectors important to establish safe, learner-friendly spaces	When necessary, sanitary materials provided to female learners; adequate water supply and appropriate sanitation available at learning sites	None mentioned	M&E guidance notes provided, though no specific indicators set
House et al31	MHM interventions should be implemented based on phase of emergency; ensure staff are familiar with MH-related aspects of Sphere; include women and girls in discussions and consult to assess appropriateness of interventions; share knowledge and experiences of successful interventions in emergency context to promote good practice	Acute emergency phase should ensure initial emergency water, sanitation-facility design, and location are appropriate for safety and comfort of women and girls; in stabilized phase (3 weeks to longer term), conduct focus-group discussions to understand MHM needs, refine selection of sanitary products for women, look closer at sanitation-facility design and location with regard to MHM, consider supporting females to produce their own MH products; design of sanitation facilities should consider safe and accessible location for females of adequate quantity, ideally with latrine inside bathing cubicles (or nearby); also consider lighting, locking mechanism, privacy, discrete waste-disposal options with a regular end-disposal system, and facilities for washing and drying underwear and menstrual materials; menstrual absorbents for distribution should be based on preference, facilities available for washing and drying reusable materials, disposal systems, cost, availability and sustainability of supply, and softness, absorbency, and speed of drying for reusable products	In emergency phase, ensure that NFI kits include basic MH materials and information; in stabilized phase of emergency, provide information to adolescent girls through various methods; hygiene promotion should collaborate with other sectors through training, information sharing, and providing MHM-guidance materials; community should be mobilized to participate	Engage women and girls in all monitoring and feedback activities on MHM needs and interventions; reference made to 2011 Sphere handbook; reference to 2006 UNHCR. Practical Guide to the Systematic Use of Standards and Indicators in UNHCR Operations where 100% of needs met for sanitary materials in females aged 13–49 years, with sanitary materials including 12 disposable pads per person per month or 2 m per person per 6 months of reusable absorbent cotton material and six pairs of underpants per person per year, and 250 g bar of soap per person per month, in addition to soap provided to the entire population; reference made to education indicators set by Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies includes appropriate physical learning site, community participation, basic hygiene promotion, and adequate water quantity for personal hygiene provided
Médecins Sans Frontières55	Tool for first and second stages of emergency response, enabling rapid decisions to be made on gender-sensitive sanitation-facility design. Tool requires limited effort or specialized expertise. Intervention assessments include community consultation on MH practices and a recommended minimum of 50% community health-promotion staff are female, as well as utilizing a female translator (if required) for water and sanitation expats	Choose technically appropriate design for sanitation facilities and further adjust based on assessment findings for the specific population; consider disposal systems if practices include use of disposable menstrual items, and washing and drying facilities if reusable absorbents used	None	Minimum of 50% of community health-promotion staff are female; no further specific M&E indicators, although M&E of interventions suggested
Inter-agency Standing Committee56	Gender based violence related consideration when implementing WASH programming in humanitarian settings should be adapted to varying contexts, taking into account essential rights, expressed needs, and identified resources of target community; involve women in decisions on location, design, construction, and maintenance of WASH facilities, aiming for 50% of WASH staff to be female; consider cultural norms and practices in constructing gender-sensitive facilities; consult community on appropriate MH materials for distribution, considering availability of supplies, if distribution timing and processes put women at risk of gender-based violence, and the availability of private cleaning and disposal mechanisms of menstrual absorbents; use strategies to enable safe participation for women through age-, gender-, and culture-sensitive fora	Identify and position culturally appropriate MH supplies that can mitigate risk for gender based violence; ensure dignified access to hygiene-related materials through distribution of appropriate menstrual materials (underwear and absorbents) to females of reproductive age after community consultation on cultural appropriateness of items for distribution; ensure that timing and process of distribution of MH items does not place women and girls at higher risk of gender based violence; ensure waste-disposal bins for sanitary items available in female toilets and develop sustainable system for regular end-disposal of sanitary materials; provide private areas with washing lines for women and girls to wash undergarments and sanitary supplies	In postemergency phase, integrate menstruation-management curriculum into schools, alongside other age-, sex-, and culture-appropriate sexual health topics	Quantitative indicators include 50% of assessment respondents are female; percentage of affected persons consulted prior to WASH facility placement and design are female (percentage to be determined by field staff); 50% of affected people who participate in WASH community-based committees are female; 50% of staff in WASH programs are female; percentage of females receiving culturally appropriate sanitary materials for menstruation within a specified time. (percentage to be determined by field workers); qualitative indicators include how women perceive their level of participation in WASH community-based committees and WASH facility placement and design, enhancers and barriers to female participation in these activities and processes
Global Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster57	Complementary toolkit for existing internationally recognized guidelines	Ensure camp residents have access to sufficient personal hygiene materials, including menstrual materials; monthly distribution of culturally appropriate materials for managing menstruation	None	No specific M&E indicators, although guidance on development of indicators provided
Columbia University8	All staff, regardless of their gender, should be trained to be knowledgeable on basics of MHM, capable of speaking professionally about MHM, and versed in cultural specifics of MHM in given context; assessment to examine MHM material preferences and feasibility of accessing preferred products, target population, methods for private distribution, appropriate sanitation facilities, disposal and washing needs, and knowledge gaps; methods and specific questions for assessment provided in detail; consider needs of vulnerable populations (disabled, very poor, unaccompanied minors, orphans, indigenous, or minority groups)	Provision of MHM materials and supplies with consideration of preferences, comfort, speed of drying, absorbance, potential for leakage, affordability, availability, support materials (underwear) required, quantity required for periods, washing, drying, and storage needs, and disposal options; suggest that monthly distribution reduces likelihood of resale; cash transfer for purchasing items is an alternate to distribution, though further evidence needed to understand if cash transfers useful in supporting MHM; for women in transit, provide contingency menstrual materials to those who require them and ensure female-friendly sanitation facilities available at transit points when possible; shelter design should take into consideration MHM needs, such as privacy, safety, lighting, and allocation of shelter; women and girls to be consulted in sanitation-facility design; sex segregation, washing and drying needs must be considered; minimum female-friendly requirements include considerations of water access, soap access, privacy, sufficient number of gender-segregated facilities, sustainable, acceptable, and appropriate menstrual waste collection, transfer and disposal, and lighting; provide covered bins for disposal and identify end-disposal sites	Provide MH promotion on use of materials provided and waste-disposal; education and discussion on hygienic menstrual practices, including washing, drying, and disposal; education on puberty and menstrual cycle basics and dispel any harmful cultural myths or taboos; IEC materials should accompany hygiene-kit distribution and modified in consultation with local female staff or community groups; separate educational groups by sex, with female staff conducting hygiene promotion with female participants; incorporate hygiene promotion in distribution, safe female spaces, or existing community groups; train health and protection staff to be knowledgeable and professional in discussing menstruation	M&E should occur during intervention design and implementation phases and expand as emergency stabilizes; should use both qualitative and quantitative methods; calculations and data sources provided for each indicator; nonexclusive list includes 100% of females of reproductive age that receive MHM materials, 100% of females of reproductive age that report MHM materials received acceptable and sufficient in quantity, 100% of schools serving girls .10 years of age providing contingency MHM materials, average water use for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene at least 15 L per person per day, 100% of households live within 500 m of improved water point/source, 100% of population live within 50 m of improved sanitation-facility, 50% of sanitation blocks female only, 100% of female toilets at institutions have access to water and soap, females of reproductive age comfortable using sanitation facilities during day and night, 100% of institutions have functional disposal mechanisms for menstrual waste, females of reproductive age comfortable disposing of their menstrual waste using available methods, 100% of sanitation facilities incorporate female-friendly minimum requirements, proportion of females of reproductive age who have received education on how to use MHM materials, proportion of adolescent girls who have received education on how to use MHM materials in school setting

Abbreviations: IEC, information education and communication; MH, menstrual hygiene; MHM, MH management; M&E, monitoring and evaluation; NFI, nonfood item; WASH, water, sanitation, hygiene.

From the seven reviews found in the search, only two focused on MHM in emergency contexts,4,6 four included some component of MHM, mainly within water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) in emergency contexts,10,13–15 and one include MHM within the reproductive health and protection sectors in a humanitarian context.16 Literature found in this review has been grouped into six broad categories: supportive menstrual materials, sanitation infrastructure, knowledge and education, health, social context, gaps between policy and practice, and current guidelines.

Supportive menstrual materials

What is likely the most obvious and thus the most widely articulated requirement for MHM is ensuring access to appropriate absorbent and supportive menstrual materials. Absorbent materials, underwear, soap, and culturally appropriate storage spaces were mentioned in different papers as required MHM materials.17,20–22,24,26 Government subsidization and tax reduction/removal on menstrual products were also mentioned strategies for improving access to required absorbents.12,27 Humanitarian interventions include provision of MH materials through distribution of individual items or in the form of “dignity kits,”20–22,24 or the provision of cash or vouchers for individual purchasing.

Dignity kits, which were piloted in 2012, are basic hygiene items packaged for distribution, and are reported to alleviate difficult purchasing decisions associated with low resources and competing priorities that populations often face in emergency contexts.28 The need to evaluate the appropriateness of dignity-kit contents in differing contexts was expressed,4 and should also consider the available sanitation infrastructure. A document provided by the United Nations Population Fund29 was found succinctly to outline culturally appropriate MH items for distribution in the Myanmar context, as well as considerations for method of distribution and hygiene-promotion activities. Budhathoki et al21 suggested using a local menstrual kit in Nepal that contained four pieces of cotton cloth, two undergarments, and one bar of soap sealed in a biodegradable bag.

A recent review of Oxfam programs30 reported that cash programs were found to be more likely to contribute to restoring dignity in displaced populations and that there was little evidence of neglected hygiene-related purchasing through the use of cash models. The author went on to reiterate that impact must be monitored to ensure that women were able to manage menstruation in an adequate manner.

The choice of menstrual product is an individual decision that may be influenced by culture, religion, taboos, convenience, access, knowledge, socioeconomic status, and the availability of WASH materials and infrastructure.9,12,15,31 Schmitt et al24 mentioned that the types of menstrual absorbents used by displaced girls and women tended to change after displacement due to the aforementioned factors, and suggested that more work be done on assessing the needs and context of each setting before designing an MHM intervention. In this specific example, NGOs were distributing disposable menstrual materials to women coming from rural areas from Myanmar who normally used reusable material.

Product choice comes with economic and environmental impact at both the individual and global levels.7 Strategies aimed at making menstrual materials more affordable, accessible, and less damaging to the environment have emerged in recent years,4,7,27,32–34 although gaps in research examining the development of innovative, sustainable, and affordable products continue to exist.27 Reusable menstrual pads, menstrual underwear, and menstrual cups are viewed as sustainable and ecologically friendly options, although not often available to populations in low-income settings.27 A lack of empirical evidence examining the introduction and testing of new MH products, in particular menstrual cups and reusable menstrual underwear, in humanitarian settings was noted.

Sanitation infrastructure

Along with supportive menstrual materials, an understanding of and action toward the provision of adequate water supply and sanitation facilities that allow for changing in privacy and discrete laundering or disposal of menstrual materials was frequently discussed.1,3,4,7,12,17,19,24,27,28,31,35,36 One study25 showed how using a quick and easy gender-specific sanitation tool could help design sanitation facilities that were “women-friendly,” which includes more privacy for MHM, more space for child care, and increased security. The use of such a tool was found to result in increased use of the facilities after building them in intervention villages.

Considering whether absorbent menstrual products are supported by adequate sanitation facilities was deemed important when designing interventions.4,6,15,19 Consulting populations on the appropriateness of both materials and facility design was presented in several policy papers and activity reports.28,31,35–37 Several case studies described how consultation with beneficiaries led to improved user satisfaction, although links to health or social outcomes were not made in any of these studies.25,38,39 Broad statements about acceptability of products, in particular reusable cloth for displaced populations,21 should be reviewed critically, as generalized statements can lead to assumptions that populations do not need to be consulted when designing interventions.

Knowledge and education

Access to information about menstruation and MH is frequently cited as being important1,4,11,27,28 and often referred to as “software interventions.”40 Benner et al17 reported that Burmese refugee girls living in camps in Thailand tended to be informed by their mothers about body changes, but apparently little information was given on menstrual issues. Some evidence exists supporting notions that improved menstrual knowledge positively affects MHM and reduces negative psychosocial impact.40 Educating populations on how to use products provided in humanitarian responses is important when implementing interventions.19,22,31 Incorporating menstrual education into school curricula was a consensus for most addressing this subject,12,19,27 and both requires and contributes to overcoming taboos associated with the topic of menstruation.

Health

Although health outcomes were not the focus of this study and thus not included in the search terms, entries that met all criteria for review did also discuss this topic. One cross-sectional study18 among Afghan women presenting with reproductive complaints at basic health units in refugee camps located in Haripur, Pakistan showed that suspected pelvic inflammatory disease was higher in women who used nothing or used an unwashed cloth for managing menstruation compared to women who used a washed cloth to absorb menses (p=0.003). However, no adjustment was made for confounding in this paper. Shame, lack of availability of products, inaccessibility due to cost, and prioritizing others’ needs over personal menstrual health have all been attributed to unhygienic menstrual practices.7,27,40 This was exemplified in one study17 that high-lighted refugee accounts of wearing underwear still wet from washing, due to the inadequate quantity available to them.

Social context

Discussion on social impacts of menstruation exists, though there remains a lack of research to quantify outcomes.40 Two separate analysis23,41 of one qualitative study exploring experiences of sexual embodiment and menstruation in migrants and refugees found recurring themes of shame, secrecy, and dirtiness among the multicultural participants. Additionally, themes of anxiety, fear, and distraction were found to be associated with menstruation.40

The link between sanitation infrastructure, menstrual materials, and social impact arose as one author explained how inadequate access to absorbent materials and disposal methods can perpetuate the already existing stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.27 Not only have psychosocial stress and a lack of dignity been associated with an inability to manage menstruation effectively,35 but depending on the humanitarian setting, needs for managing menstruation can increase risks for female exploitation and sexual violence.6,10

Human-rights themes emerged regularly, from declaring MHM an essential aspect of basic human rights12 to describing the impact of menstruation on increased sex inequality.1,42 According to one study,43 taboos with regard to menstruation can have “detrimental effects on the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights, particularly in low-income settings.” The potential consequences for refugee women who have inadequate access to menstrual materials are said to “undermine(s) their opportunity to participate in community activities, registration, food distribution, training programmes, and employment opportunities.”5

Conflicting beliefs about menstruation and MH can exist not only between various cultural groups but also within a single population. This is thought to be attributed to modernizing influences and migration.11 Varied findings across studies demonstrate the extensive range of cultural beliefs and confirm the need for understanding and adapting interventions to specific contexts.11

Overcoming taboos must start with improved social attitudes and behaviors toward MHM.7,31,44 Justifications for including males in these discussions are strong.12,27,45,46 It is argued that the taboo that exists toward menstruation has resulted in inadequate acknowledgment of MHM needs in sanitation-system planning and design11 and that the responsibility for advocacy and change must be incorporated at all levels: from international organizations and governments down to the private sector and individuals.2,27,31

Gaps between policy and practice

Significant progress has been made in advancing refugee rights in the past 20 years, but the need to narrow the gap between MHM policy and practice remains.46 A 2013 evaluation20 of Minimal Initial Service Package (MISP) activities in a Jordanian refugee camp found inadequate availability of services and supplies for MHM, despite the 2010 addition of an MISP standard stating the need to ensure culturally appropriate MH materials were distributed.47 A 2016 review26 of MISP activities in postearthquake Nepal echoed these findings. Thapa and Acharya22 mentioned that MH had received low priority, due to the overwhelming need for water, food, and shelter in such crisis situations.

Examining funding can act a proxy indicator of progress. A study16 examining reproductive health funding showed increases in the previous 12 years, although that which has been dedicated to MHM was not possible to distinguish, due to the overlap among health, WASH, and nonfood item (NFI) sectors. This corroborates challenges expressed regarding coordination of MHM responses as a multisector issue.6,48 The majority of the literature suggested that WASH take the lead on MHM in close collaboration with other relevant sectors.6

A lack of systematic documentation can be one contributing factor to the gap between policy and practice,4,6,24 which is likely linked to a lack of M&E of interventions. Organizational experience in MHM interventions exists as seen through the sharing of resources on the public humanitarian platform ReliefWeb. A search for the term “menstrual hygiene” on October 23, 2017 produced 144 English-language reports written between 1999 and 2017, with increasing frequency in more recent years. Of the 144 returns, 85 reports drew attention to the MH-related situation in emergencies. Among these, 42 were activity reports written by 22 different organizations who mentioned distribution of MH products in an emergency context in 25 countries. Thirteen reports discussed sanitation-infrastructure interventions, while only one mentioned the customary practices of the beneficiary community. Though not an empirical representation of progress, the increase in documentation presented does show that MHM is becoming a more frequently reportable topic. As stated in Sommer’s 2012 literature review,4 it is unfortunate that these brief activity reports do not allow for much in way of learning.

Despite the rarity of learning lessons publicly shared in humanitarian aid reports, some documentation did include recommendations of providing sex-sensitive, participatory responses for MHM, including feedback mechanisms in interventions to create a comfortable environment for women to share information.37,49,50 Several reference documents are also publicly accessible, with the most recent, and certainly the most comprehensive, guideline focusing on MHM in emergencies being launched in October 2017.

Current guidelines

A total of eleven guidelines were identified that discussed MHM in emergency humanitarian contexts. Of these eleven, all but one51 specifically mentioned MH interventions. All guidelines identified were examined for assessment and program-design advice, hardware considerations, software considerations, and M&E indicators. See Table 3 for an overview of the related information provided in each guideline.

For recommendations related to needs assessment and program design, most documents mentioned the importance of including the targeted beneficiary groups in design, delivery, and monitoring of MHM services, in order to ensure culturally appropriate considerations are made.31,36,52,54–56 Consideration of the MHM needs of vulnerable groups (disabled, very poor, unaccompanied minors, orphans, and minority groups) among the wider female population in crisis was recommended in the most recently published guideline.8 Several documents mentioned adapting interventions to the context, including the phase of the emergency.31,47,52,55,56 Considering timing and location of distribution to promote inclusion and mitigate risk for sex-based violence was also discussed.8,56 Collaboration and knowledge sharing with relevant actors in a humanitarian response was found to be important,31,47 as was ensuring that staff were aware of and competent in discussing MHM needs.8,31 There was one mention of ensuring MHM needs were included in budgetary planning.53

Hardware interventions focused on the provision of MH materials8,31,36,47,52,53,57 and the availability of female-friendly WASH facilities, including at schools and health facilities.31,36,47,53,55,56 Varying degrees of reference were made to specific details of MHM-material access and sanitation-facility design, as noted in Table 3. House et al31 considered the phases of an emergency in the level of community consultation required before acting, with less in acute phases and increased understanding and revision of programs occurring during stabilization phases. Contrary to this, Médecins Sans Frontières55 suggested that community consultation can and should occur in the first and second phases of an emergency, starting with technically appropriate sanitation-facility designs and adjusting these based on assessment findings for the specific beneficiary population.

Software interventions revolved around the access to and provision of education. Depending on the guideline reviewed, more or less emphasis was placed on software interventions. The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies 2012 guideline51 provided standards about how to deliver effective education interventions (enhancing the quality of educational preparedness, response and recovery, increasing access to safe and relevant learning opportunities, and ensuring accountability in providing these services); however, there was no mention of any intervention specific to MH. Several recommendations were made to support the success of hardware interventions, such as suggestions that at minimum during the acute emergency phase, basic information on MH, including how to use products distributed and sanitation systems, be provided.8,31,36,52 Several guidelines recommended facilitating female-only groups for education sessions.8,31,53

M&E indicators were lacking in many of the documents, although guidance notes for developing M&E plans were mentioned. Guidelines that did provide specific indicators focused on access to adequate sanitation materials and facilities, sex inclusion in programming, education access and knowledge acquisition, and quantifiable indicators, such as number of menstrual materials distributed or received by the target population,31,54,56 method of item distribution,36 quantity and appropriateness of water and sanitation facilities available,8 access to and participation in educational activities or materials,8,53 and the engagement of female staff or community participants in various phases of programming,31,55,56 were included alongside qualitativindicators. Qualitative indicators examined user satisfaction with sanitation facilities,8,36 perceptions of levels of participation in programming, and barriers to participation in such groups.56

Until recently, House et al31 had presented the most comprehensive document on MHM in emergencies, with “knowledge and practice on MH programming from around the world to encourage the development of comprehensive and context specific approaches to MH.” In October 2017, a significant addition to MHM guidelines in emergency settings was launched by Columbia University and the International Rescue Committee.8 As a document dedicated to filling the identified gaps, the authors collated all information on assessment, best practices, and M&E indicators. The information was supported by case studies and developed as a cross-sector tool for use by the various sectors involved in MHM responses.

Discussion

This review included 51 articles that discussed MHM in emergency contexts (current policies, guidelines, empirical research, and humanitarian aid activities addressing populations’ menstrual needs): 16 articles were peer-reviewed papers and 35 gray literature. Nine of the peer-reviewed papers were original research studies and seven literature reviews. From the gray literature, four were master’s theses, 11 guidelines, and 20 NGO reports (communications, policy briefs, evaluations, and case studies).

From the reviews found in the search, only two focused in MHM in emergency context. This review aimed to extend and update the existing information included in these two pieces of work. However our intention was not to provide a critical appraisal of the included studies, but a summary of issues for consideration and consensus in approaches to addressing MHM in emergency contexts.

There is consistency throughout the literature about the components required in MHM; however, there is a lack of evidence on the application of interventions for these in the field. Dignity kits often include both reusable items, such as clothing, buckets, and shoes, as well as disposal materials, such as sanitary pads. Lacking in many guidelines are statements of renewing supplies on a monthly basis. This is supported by narratives from displaced populations that state that they received sufficient items on arrival, but maintenance was inadequate to meet needs.49 There is also consistent agreement about the type of materials that should be distributed and how important it is to assess women and girls needs before designing an intervention in each different setting. However, in most of the case studies in this review, the organizations tended to distribute mainly disposable menstrual materials.

The potential introduction of new menstrual products in emergency settings was suggested in some of the literature; however, no studies about new products were found with a focus on humanitarian contexts. Two studies examining the acceptability and utility of menstrual cups in low-income settings were identified. In Kenya,58 a mixed-method study collected baseline data and compared this to data 4 months after introducing menstrual cups. In Zimbabwe,59 hypothetical acceptability was examined through a qualitative study. In both studies, links were made among product utility, product cost, sanitation infrastructure, and education provided on proper use. Results in both studies showed a willingness either to try or continue to use the product. The lack of studies conducted in humanitarian contexts can be justified when considering the urgency of life-saving needs.

The importance of “women-friendly” sanitation facilities that can offer a comfortable space for the female population to deal with their menstruation was also highly recognized. Having a proper needs assessment including the female community before designing appropriate sanitation facilities is an essential duty of humanitarian agencies.60,61 It is also recognized that sometimes in an emergency, there is no time for a proper participatory assessment, but some examples in the literature25 have shown that even quick and easy tools could be feasible to implement (without incurring implementation delays), and they can have great impact.

Educating populations about the importance of MHM and girls and women about how to use menstrual products provided in humanitarian responses is important when implementing interventions. More education about physiological changes that adolescents face when reaching puberty is also important to help them to welcome this special moment. There was lots of agreement about incorporating part of this training and education within the school system,61 but some papers also suggested the importance to work within families17 or the creation of counseling services, psychological support groups, and women’s self-help groups, which could have a big impact on the well-being of girls and women in times of natural disasters.22 Two systematic reviews assessing the association of the social effects of MHM concluded that there was good evidence that educational interventions can improve MHM practices and reduce social restrictions, but they also concluded that there is a lack of strong evidence and that the studies included presented a high risk of bias, mainly due to outcome assessment.9,40

Only one peer-reviewed paper18 was found in this search that assessed the association between MHM practices and reproductive infections. This article showed that unhygienic practices were associated with pelvic infection. In additional literature, there was no strong evidence to show which type of material and menstrual practices were associated with health impact. One systematic review9 examined both health and social effects of MHM after this gap in research had been identified in 2012.7 Minimal evidence available showed inconclusive links between MHM and negative health outcomes,9 although it has been stated that “It is biologically plausible that unhygienic MHM practices can affect the reproductive tract but the specific infection, the strength or the effect, and the route of transmission, remain unclear.”12

Experiences and constructions of menstruation are shaped by the sociocultural environment in which women are embedded. Cultural, societal, religious, and other factors usually influence a women’s experience in this sphere. Humanitarian contexts can result or increase the negative experiences that women suffer related to menstruation (among other things). Perceptions of anxiety, fear, shame, and distraction are found to be associated with menstruation. An article published by Thomson Reuters Foundation62 describes the challenges that refugee women face in managing menstruation. The narratives of Syrian refugees describe how the lack of sanitary products created a sense of isolation and fear. Many other factors associated with these experiences have also been reported in these contexts (barriers to access of safe and private sanitation facilities, lack of support by international agencies, stress when having to adapt to new menstrual management practices).

In the last few years, global attention to integrate MHM into humanitarian response guidelines has increased. Special attention to MHM-product distribution and construction and adaptation of “women-friendly” WASH facilities has been given. Specifying the quantity of menstrual products to provide to females of menstruating age in guidelines can be useful as a reference, although considering the diversity of practices among various populations, as well as within populations,11 these specifications can also undermine the importance of consulting beneficiaries to understand their specific needs. Indicators set out in the most recent toolkit for MHM in emergencies8 provided space for program adaptation through considering female reports of receiving adequate and sufficient materials to meet their specific needs. Assessing beneficiaries’ needs was also an important factor to consider, mentioned in almost all the guidelines. However, it has been noted that cultural taboos regarding discussing MHM with beneficiaries may impact the comfort of staff; therefore, more effort should be made to prepare and train competent staff in this area.

Despite the progress seen in the last few years, many gaps still exist, such as agreement about which indicators can be used to monitor and evaluate MHM interventions, lack of clarity about how to identify key components of an MHM response in different emergency settings, which actors should be integrated, and clear guidelines to assess context and beneficiaries’ needs. A review13 also highlighted the need for systematic approaches or guidelines to issues of inclusiveness in the emergency context. As a response to most of these gaps, Columbia University has just published a toolkit8 that aims to provide streamlined guidance to support organizations and agencies seeking to integrate MHM rapidly into existing programming across sectors and phases.

In conclusion, there is much still to be done to build the evidence base that will feed guidelines and programs to improve MHM among girls and women in emergency contexts. With this work, we hope we have provided some basis for those planning future research in this area. We believe that there is much scope for dedicated MH research in emergency contexts, and more energy and resources should be invested by NGOs in measuring and reflecting about the failure and success of their programs.

Consultation with girls and women before designing and implementing hardware and software interventions

hardware interventions should include not only type of absorbent but also other menstrual support items (soap, underwear, torches, and wash basins); they should also focus on providing adequate WASH facilities that will cover needs (space, privacy, location, distribution, disposal, and access of water)

software interventions should include training in the use of menstrual materials, education of both boys and girls in menstrual biology and hygiene, and explore new initiatives to create a better social-support environment (counseling and self-help groups)

when designing hardware and software interventions, consider issues of sustainability, equity, and inclusion

invest time and resources in training competent staff responsible for assessment and delivery of MHM interventions

intervention-delivery channels should be researched

invest more time and thinking into how to coordinate responses among different actors and sharing of experiences (failures and successful attempts)

adjust indicators based on expressed needs in relation to cultural and customary practices

test tools for designing interventions and evaluation of their effectiveness

monitor and evaluate interventions taking place in the humanitarian context and sharing of results among the humanitarian community

evidence-based research should feed improvements for MHM guidelines.