Menstrual health challenges and associated barriers among tribal adolescent girls in India: A systematic review.
Rohit Raj, Jarina Begum, Syed Irfan Ali et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review synthesised quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research on menstrual health among tribal adolescent girls in India. Of 197 records identified, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria; because of heterogeneity, findings were summarised narratively. The studies described barriers including limited access to sanitary products, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, poor awareness, and cultural stigma and restrictions. These barriers were associated with unsafe hygiene behaviours, psychological distress, reproductive tract infections and school absenteeism. The review concluded that menstrual health remains a significant public health concern in this population.
Key findings
- Twenty-eight studies were included from 197 identified records.
- Reported barriers included limited sanitary-product access, inadequate WASH facilities, poor awareness, cultural stigma and restrictive practices.
- Barriers were associated with psychological distress, unsafe hygiene behaviours, reproductive tract infections and increased school absenteeism.
Why it matters
The review brings together evidence that menstrual health challenges in this population extend beyond product access, involving education, infrastructure and socio-cultural conditions. The reported links with infection, distress and school absence underscore the potential health and educational consequences. Its synthesis can help frame menstrual health as a public health issue requiring attention to multiple, locally relevant barriers.
What to keep in mind
The included studies were heterogeneous, requiring narrative synthesis; the review also noted limitations in some studies’ design and reporting.