"Boys don't have knowledge about menstruation; they think it is a bad thing" - Knowledge and Beliefs about Menstruation among Adolescent Boys in Gicumbi District, Rwanda Public
Penakalapati, Gauthami (2013)
Abstract
Background
Research indicates that girls who have reached menarche face
numerous challenges in the school environment. Lack of facilities,
supplies, and guidance on puberty and menses management can lead to
feelings of shame and embarrassment. Girls fear being stigmatized
by boys who have flawed understanding of menstruation and who
perpetuate stigma surrounding menstruation. Research on boys'
understandings of menstruation is limited.
Purpose
This research aims to understand the knowledge and beliefs
adolescent boys have about menstruation and how their understanding
influences their behavior towards girls who are menstruating in
Gicumbi District, Rwanda.
Methods
Qualitative methods were used to encourage open dialogue and enable
boys to share in-depth narratives. Five semi-structured focus group
discussions were conducted with a sample of 31 primary and
secondary school boys aged 9 to 17 years. Data were collected in
five urban and rural schools in Gicumbi District. Discussions
conducted by locally trained male researchers in Kinyarwanda, the
local language. Discussions were recorded, transcribed and
translated into English. Data were analyzed in an iterative process
of developing and defining codes. The codes were subsequently
linked to themes spanning or differing across the FGDs. The
developed set of themes address the research aims of the
project.
Results
Boys shared their knowledge about the biology of menstruation,
menstrual related behaviors, and knowledge of menstrual related
challenges. Menstruation signified maturity because girls were able
to conceive but boys were misinformed that girls could become
pregnant during their menses. Boys were aware that girls lacked
adequate water and sanitation facilities and limited access to
absorbent materials; these challenges were thought to limit girls'
participation in the classroom. Many boys expressed negative
ideologies and feelings towards menstruation and acknowledged that
menstrual related teasing of female classmates was common.
Conclusion
Boys' negative ideologies about menstruation are perpetuated by the
lack of knowledge and the overall silence surrounding the issue.
Boys' negative behavior towards girls who are menstruating affects
the overall well-being of girls. Teachers and the WASH sector have
an opportunity to improve feelings of school connectedness among
boys and girls to improve the physical and mental health of
girls.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
Introduction and Rationale 1
Problem Statement 1
Purpose Statement 1
Research Aims 1
Significance Statement 1
Terms of Reference 2
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 3
MANUSCRIPT 9
Abstract 9
Introduction 10
Methods 11
Study Setting 12
Study Design 13
School Selection 14
Study Participants 14
Data Collection 15
Data Analysis 15
Results 16
Knowledge of Menstruation 16
Boys' Behavior towards Girls 26
Boys' Perceptions of Girls' Menstrual-Related Experiences 29
Discussion 32
Recommendations 35
Limitations and Future Research 39
Conclusion 40
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS 40
REFERENCES 42
About this Master's Thesis
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