‘We Keep It Secret So No One Should Know’ – A Qualitative Study to Explore Young Schoolgirls Attitudes and Experiences with Menstruation in Rural Western Kenya

摘要: Background: Keeping girls in school offers them protection against early marriage, teen pregnancy, and sexual harms, enhances social economic equity. Studies report menstruation exacerbates school-drop out poor attendance, although evidence is sparse. This study qualitatively examines the menstrual experiences of young adolescent schoolgirls. Methods Findings: The was conducted Siaya County rural western Kenya. A sample 120 aged 14–16 years took part 11 focus group discussions, which were analysed thematically. data gathered supplemented by information from six FGDs with parents community members. Emergent themes were: lack preparation for menarche; maturation vulnerability; as an illness; secrecy, fear shame leaking; coping inadequate alternatives; paying pads sex; problems hygiene. Girls unprepared demonstrated reproductive knowledge, but devised practical methods to cope difficulties, often alone. Parental support needs limited, sparse or inaccurate. Girls’ physical changes prompt boys adults target brand ripe activity including coercion marriage. admitted ‘others’ rather than themselves absent during menstruation, due symptoms sanitary protection. They described difficulties engaging class, smelling leakage, subsequent teasing. Sanitary valued resource time constraints result prolonged use causing chafing. Improvised alternatives, rags grass, prone leak, caused soreness, perceived harmful. reported ‘other girls’ not participated transactional sex buy pads, received boyfriends. Conclusions: In absence parental support, cope, sometimes alone, menarche hazardous ways. Emotional mechanisms need be included within a package measures enable reach their potential.