(054) Appropriate Solutions to Reusable Sanitary Products in Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an under-recognized topic in low resource, rural environments such as Uganda due to cultural taboos, access, lack of education, and sanitation issues. Poor MHM practices have been linked to higher absenteeism rates for young girls at school and greater stress and anxiety surrounding changing the menstrual products. This issue is prevalent in Uganda, where high rates of vaginal infections appear to be linked to poor MHM. Objectives This study aimed to create and test prototypes of menstrual products using locally available Ugandan materials. Products aimed to be comfortable, easy to wash, and easy to replicate for local Ugandan women. Methods This study is a multi-phase project consisting of three phases. Prototype development. After conducting a thorough literature review of 35 articles on reusable products already available and the success of their implementation in our population of interest, three prototypes were created using locally available Ugandan materials. The materials included Ankara fabric, gauze, cotton, and snaps; due to the accessibility and affordability. Testing of prototypes with college students. Students will receive a menstrual hygiene kit of materials to test during their next menstrual cycle. Participants will reveal their experiences with the product during a focus group discussion. The purpose of this phase is to test the product and get feedback for improvement before sending the items to Uganda, where women will be trained in creating, marketing, and distributing the product after a similar product testing locally. Assessing attitudes and experiences of reusable menstrual products. Due to the impact of the current pandemic and limitations on assessing local Ugandan women, this phase will use college students to provide some baseline information before adapting the tool for the Ugandan community. An anonymous survey will be distributed online to college students that focuses closely on participants' general knowledge surrounding menstruation, personal perceptions regarding menstrual hygiene management, and their various experiences with reusable menstrual products. Results Results of this first phase included the design and testing of three prototypes. The first was a period underwear. The underwear and reusable pad inserts were both constructed out of the traditional Ankara fabric. The absorbent material used within this design was a combination of gauze and cotton. The second included a holder and reusable pad inserts. In this design, the holder mimics many disposable pads' shape, with the wings that wrap around and snap underneath the underwear. The third was an all-in-one product. This design had half circle wings that fold underneath the underwear and snap to hold the pad in place. The circular design provides privacy and discreteness when hanging outside on a wash line. Conclusions Reusable menstrual products have proven effective at improving young girls' lives, reducing infection rates, and contributing to a woman's self- esteem. The prototypes created and tested will be sent to women in Uganda to be recreated and distributed. Through the training and education of correct use of the product, we hope to decrease vaginal infection rates as women learn the importance of maintaining MHM and gain better access to discrete products. Disclosure No.