EXAMINING BARRIERS IN ADOPTION OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRACTICES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Author(s)

Smriti Shukla, Rinku Sanjeev

Affiliations

Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Noida

Abstract

Menstruation is one of the most critical changes in girls' lives, bringing many challenges. Even being a universal practice, People connect it with societal stigmas and taboos. Females have to face several barriers in menstruation management due to these prevalent stigmas. Many researchers probe into the existing knowledge and practices of menstruation, but the barriers to adopting feminine hygiene practices are still not thoroughly studied. This paper aims to identify and classify the barriers females experience in adopting feminine hygiene practices by focusing on secondary data. We conducted a systematic literature review of articles reporting empirical findings and identified 37 studies providing evidence of barriers females face. We recognized 11 barriers from the analysis, grouped them into four categories, and composed a model consisting of personal and psychological, social, infrastructural, and economic barriers. The findings will enable the marketers to ensure the easy accessibility and affordability of sanitary materials. Public policymakers working in the field of menstrual hygiene and health can also use the findings of this research study.

Keywords

Barriers, cultural, feminine hygiene practices, knowledge, menstruation.

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