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“The period, the problem” : an investigation on mothers’ menstrual health in rural Zithulele, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Modigh, Emilia LU (2020) MIDM19 20201
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Poor menstrual health (MH) harms women in various ways globally, and therefore maintaining sufficient MH is vital. However, MH is not considered as a Human Right and is generally unprioritized, especially in resource poor areas. There is a prominent research gap on MH and in particular among women in different ages in rural areas. This study therefore aims to investigate the MH among mothers, in varying ages, in rural Zithulele, South Africa. Specifically, how menstruation is perceived among the mothers, in what way and why stigmatic perceptions affect their menstrual practices and how these perceptions and practices combined
impact the mothers’ daily lives will be examined.

To gather the women’s perspective, a qualitative case study... (More)
Poor menstrual health (MH) harms women in various ways globally, and therefore maintaining sufficient MH is vital. However, MH is not considered as a Human Right and is generally unprioritized, especially in resource poor areas. There is a prominent research gap on MH and in particular among women in different ages in rural areas. This study therefore aims to investigate the MH among mothers, in varying ages, in rural Zithulele, South Africa. Specifically, how menstruation is perceived among the mothers, in what way and why stigmatic perceptions affect their menstrual practices and how these perceptions and practices combined
impact the mothers’ daily lives will be examined.

To gather the women’s perspective, a qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews with a feminist and intersectional standpoint was used. Findings revealed the existence of a duality of emotion among the mothers regarding their menstruation, it is seen as stigmatic and natural simultaneously. These stigmatic perceptions influence the mothers’ practices to hide their menstrual mark (i.e. blood). These practices and perceptions combined impact the mothers’ wellbeing and limit their possibility to improve their MH. The result does not differ due to age, income or education-levels among the mothers, demonstrating menstruation as a cross-sectional issue. (Less)
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author
Modigh, Emilia LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20201
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Menstrual Health, Menstruation, Mothers, Rural, South Africa, Theory of Practice, Stigma, Menstrual stigma
language
English
id
9008948
date added to LUP
2020-06-12 17:02:15
date last changed
2020-06-12 17:02:15
@misc{9008948,
  abstract     = {{Poor menstrual health (MH) harms women in various ways globally, and therefore maintaining sufficient MH is vital. However, MH is not considered as a Human Right and is generally unprioritized, especially in resource poor areas. There is a prominent research gap on MH and in particular among women in different ages in rural areas. This study therefore aims to investigate the MH among mothers, in varying ages, in rural Zithulele, South Africa. Specifically, how menstruation is perceived among the mothers, in what way and why stigmatic perceptions affect their menstrual practices and how these perceptions and practices combined
impact the mothers’ daily lives will be examined. 

To gather the women’s perspective, a qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews with a feminist and intersectional standpoint was used. Findings revealed the existence of a duality of emotion among the mothers regarding their menstruation, it is seen as stigmatic and natural simultaneously. These stigmatic perceptions influence the mothers’ practices to hide their menstrual mark (i.e. blood). These practices and perceptions combined impact the mothers’ wellbeing and limit their possibility to improve their MH. The result does not differ due to age, income or education-levels among the mothers, demonstrating menstruation as a cross-sectional issue.}},
  author       = {{Modigh, Emilia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“The period, the problem” : an investigation on mothers’ menstrual health in rural Zithulele, Eastern Cape, South Africa}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}