Menstrual knowledge and perceptions of schoolgirls in Bangladesh

Do Socio-Economic Factors Really Matter

Bibliographic Data

ID6150841
AuthorsGulsan Ara Parvin (0000-0002-0778-5846, Kyoto University), Nina Takashino (0000-0002-0207-2302, Ritsumeikan University), Md Shahidul Islam (0000-0002-9351-243X), Md Habibur Rahman (0000-0003-3247-2718, Kyoto University), Anwarul Abedin (0000-0001-6885-4967, Bangladesh Agricultural University), Mrittika Basu (0000-0001-6588-9689, Kyoto University)
Year2021
Volume16
Issue3
Pages277-294
Publication date2021-10-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2056-4902 • E-ISSN: 2056-4910
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/ijhrh-07-2021-0145
OpenAlexW3207301746
LanguageEN
References cited30

Purpose This study aims to explore whether socio-economic factors determine the level of menstrual knowledge and perceptions of schoolgirls in Bangladesh. The aim of this study is to understand how knowledge and perceptions vary with variations in the different socio-economic factors in a schoolgirl’s life such as place of residence, religion, age, grade, parents’ education, parents’ occupation, family income and even family size. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from four schools (two in urban areas and two in rural areas). A total of 450 schoolgirls from grades V–X were interviewed to examine how knowledge and perceptions varied with different socio-economic aspects. Multiple logistic regression models were used to measure the associations between various socio-economic variables and perceptions of and knowledge about menstruation. Findings Respondents from urban areas were 4.75 times more likely and those 14–16 years old were two times more likely to report higher levels of knowledge about menstruation compared to their counterparts. Based on the father’s occupation, respondents whose father was engaged in a professional occupation were 1.983 times more likely to have a higher level of knowledge on menstruation compared to those whose fathers were in an unskilled profession. Similarly, the odds of positive perceptions on menstruation were 1.456 and 1.987 times higher, respectively, among respondents living in urban areas and those 14–16 years old, compared to their counterparts. Originality/value This study provides evidence that different socio-economic and even demographic factors are important in the development of menstrual knowledge and perceptions. Policy formulation and development actions related to adolescent girls’ physical and reproductive health development need to consider these factors in Bangladesh and in other developing countries, where poor knowledge and perception related to menstruation are hindering girls’ mental and physical development. This is expected that better knowledge and perception will facilitate girls’ right to have better health and social lives

Geography · Logistic regression · Menarche · Menstruation · Perception · Population · Residence · Rural area · Socioeconomic status · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Psychology

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