Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study
Abstract Background Despite being fundamental to the health and well-being of women, menstrual health is often overlooked as a health priority and access to menstrual health education, products, and support is limited. Consequently, many young women are unprepared for menarche and face challenges in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07818-5 |
| _version_ | 1818774084990795776 |
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| author | Mandikudza Tembo Jenny Renju Helen A. Weiss Ethel Dauya Nancy Gweshe Precious Ndlovu Portia Nzombe Chido Dziva Chikwari Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young Rashida A. Ferrand Suzanna C. Francis |
| author_facet | Mandikudza Tembo Jenny Renju Helen A. Weiss Ethel Dauya Nancy Gweshe Precious Ndlovu Portia Nzombe Chido Dziva Chikwari Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young Rashida A. Ferrand Suzanna C. Francis |
| author_sort | Mandikudza Tembo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite being fundamental to the health and well-being of women, menstrual health is often overlooked as a health priority and access to menstrual health education, products, and support is limited. Consequently, many young women are unprepared for menarche and face challenges in accessing menstrual health products and support and in managing menstruation in a healthy and dignified way. In this paper, we examine the acceptability of a comprehensive menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) intervention integrated within a community-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service for young people aged 16–24 years in Zimbabwe called CHIEDZA. Methods We conducted focus group discussions, that included participatory drawings, with CHIEDZA healthcare service providers (N = 3) and with young women who had attended CHIEDZA (N = 6) between June to August 2020. Translated transcripts were read for familiarisation and thematic analysis was used to explore acceptability. We applied Sekhon’s thematic framework of acceptability that looks at seven key constructs (affective attitudes, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy). Data from FGDs and meeting minutes taken during the study time period were used to triangulate a comprehensive understanding of MHH intervention acceptability. Results The MHH intervention was acceptable to participants as it addressed the severe prevailing lack of access to menstrual health education, products, and support in the communities, and facilitated access to other SRH services on site. In addition to the constructs defined by Sekhon’s thematic framework, acceptability was also informed by external contextual factors such as sociocultural norms and the economic environment. Providers highlighted the increased burden in their workload due to demand for MHH products, and how sociocultural beliefs around insertable menstrual products compromising virginity can negatively affect acceptability among young people and community members. Conclusions MHH interventions are acceptable to young women in community-based settings in Zimbabwe as there is great unmet need for comprehensive MHH support. The integration of MHH in SRH services can serve as a facilitator to female engagement with SRH services. However, it is important to note that contextual external factors can affect the implementation and acceptability of integrated SRH and MHH services within communities. Trial registration Registry: Clinicaltrials.gov, Registration Number: NCT03719521 , Registration Date: October 25, 2018. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:35:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3236adbf95274244b0c202b44dd9d729 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:35:32Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-3236adbf95274244b0c202b44dd9d7292022-12-21T21:10:46ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-03-0122111210.1186/s12913-022-07818-5Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability studyMandikudza Tembo0Jenny Renju1Helen A. Weiss2Ethel Dauya3Nancy Gweshe4Precious Ndlovu5Portia Nzombe6Chido Dziva Chikwari7Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza8Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young9Rashida A. Ferrand10Suzanna C. Francis11MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineMRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineMRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteBiomedical Research and Training InstituteMRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineAbstract Background Despite being fundamental to the health and well-being of women, menstrual health is often overlooked as a health priority and access to menstrual health education, products, and support is limited. Consequently, many young women are unprepared for menarche and face challenges in accessing menstrual health products and support and in managing menstruation in a healthy and dignified way. In this paper, we examine the acceptability of a comprehensive menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) intervention integrated within a community-based sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service for young people aged 16–24 years in Zimbabwe called CHIEDZA. Methods We conducted focus group discussions, that included participatory drawings, with CHIEDZA healthcare service providers (N = 3) and with young women who had attended CHIEDZA (N = 6) between June to August 2020. Translated transcripts were read for familiarisation and thematic analysis was used to explore acceptability. We applied Sekhon’s thematic framework of acceptability that looks at seven key constructs (affective attitudes, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy). Data from FGDs and meeting minutes taken during the study time period were used to triangulate a comprehensive understanding of MHH intervention acceptability. Results The MHH intervention was acceptable to participants as it addressed the severe prevailing lack of access to menstrual health education, products, and support in the communities, and facilitated access to other SRH services on site. In addition to the constructs defined by Sekhon’s thematic framework, acceptability was also informed by external contextual factors such as sociocultural norms and the economic environment. Providers highlighted the increased burden in their workload due to demand for MHH products, and how sociocultural beliefs around insertable menstrual products compromising virginity can negatively affect acceptability among young people and community members. Conclusions MHH interventions are acceptable to young women in community-based settings in Zimbabwe as there is great unmet need for comprehensive MHH support. The integration of MHH in SRH services can serve as a facilitator to female engagement with SRH services. However, it is important to note that contextual external factors can affect the implementation and acceptability of integrated SRH and MHH services within communities. Trial registration Registry: Clinicaltrials.gov, Registration Number: NCT03719521 , Registration Date: October 25, 2018.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07818-5Menstrual healthAcceptabilityCommunity-based interventionsYouthService deliveryService integration |
| spellingShingle | Mandikudza Tembo Jenny Renju Helen A. Weiss Ethel Dauya Nancy Gweshe Precious Ndlovu Portia Nzombe Chido Dziva Chikwari Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young Rashida A. Ferrand Suzanna C. Francis Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study BMC Health Services Research Menstrual health Acceptability Community-based interventions Youth Service delivery Service integration |
| title | Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study |
| title_full | Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study |
| title_fullStr | Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study |
| title_short | Integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community-based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in Zimbabwe: a qualitative acceptability study |
| title_sort | integration of a menstrual health intervention in a community based sexual and reproductive health service for young people in zimbabwe a qualitative acceptability study |
| topic | Menstrual health Acceptability Community-based interventions Youth Service delivery Service integration |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07818-5 |
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