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Background: Menstrual hygiene management is a critical aspect of adolescent health. However, access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities is severely restricted during times of war. There is a dearth of information about the menstrual hygiene needs of adolescent girls during humanitarian crises. This study investigated the menstrual hygiene management needs of the internally displaced adolescent girls in the war-torn region of Tigray, Ethiopia., Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in three centers for internally displaced people in Mekelle, Tigray Region. Four focus-group discussions and six in-depth interviews were conducted using the local language among 39 adolescent girls aged 13-19 years. The collected data were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using the ATLAS.ti-7.5.18 software through a qualitative thematic analysis approach., Results: Six primary themes were identified: 1) shortage of menstrual pads; 2) poor accommodation of latrine facilities; 3) silence around menstruation; 4) exchange of menstrual pads for life-saving commodities, 5) lack of privacy; 6) menstruation is a "curse" for adolescent girls living in displaced people's camps. The study highlights the significant challenges faced by internally displaced adolescent girls in managing their menstrual hygiene while living in camps for internally displaced people. Lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene management supplies often leads them to use rags or worn-out clothing instead of menstrual pads., Conclusion: Access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities is severely limited among displaced adolescent girls in Tigray. The findings emphasize the urgent need to address menstrual hygiene issues during emergencies. Supplying essential items such as sanitary pads, soap, water, sanitation infrastructure, and improved information on menstrual hygiene management should be prioritized., Competing Interests: LLW serves as a non-compensated member of the board of directors of the charity, Dignity Period. The other authors have no competing interests to declare. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2024 Betsu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Inadequate menstrual hygiene management can result in physical, social, psychological, and educational challenges for schoolgirls. To address these issues, researchers have conducted intervention studies, but the impact on school attendance has varied. This review has systematically collected and evaluated evidence about the effects of menstrual hygiene interventions on schoolgirls., Method: A systematic search of the literature was done and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA statement). Both peer-reviewed journals and gray literature were searched using PubMed and Google Scholar. The search included individual, or cluster randomized controlled trials, and quasi-experimental studies, and covered the period from the date of indexing until January 3, 2023., Result: A review of sixteen trial studies showed that menstrual hygiene interventions have a positive effect on schoolgirls' school attendance, performance, and dropout rates, as well as on their menstrual knowledge, attitudes, practices, and emotional well-being. There was a low to medium risk of bias in most of the studies. Additionally, the literature overlooked the impact of interventions that involve parental and male engagement, interventions correcting community misperceptions about menstruation, and the impact of infrastructure improvements on water, sanitation, and hygiene., Conclusion: Interventions aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management can enhance schoolgirls' educational outcomes, and can improve their menstrual knowledge, attitudes, and practices by helping them manage their periods more effectively. Most interventions have focused on the provision of menstrual products and menstrual education but have neglected improvements in the physical environment at home and school and the social norms surrounding menstruation. Trial studies should take a holistic approach that considers the total socio-cultural environment in which menstrual hygiene management takes place, thus enabling stakeholders and policymakers to develop sustainable, long-term solutions to these problems., Competing Interests: LLW serves as a non-compensated member of the board of directors of the charity, Dignity Period. The other authors have no competing interests to declare. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2024 Betsu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Although menstruation is a biological phenomenon, it is still subjected to secrecy, shame, and negativity. Schoolgirls lack access to appropriate sources of information about menstruation. Little is known about the content of the information provided to schoolgirls concerning menstruation in northern Ethiopia. This study explored schoolgirls' experiences and the content of information they receive concerning menstrual hygiene management in Tigray. Methods: A qualitative design was implemented. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted using the local language among 79 schoolgirls who had experienced menarche. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and imported into ATLAS.ti-7.5.18 computer software for analysis. Data were coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results: Five themes have emerged from the analysis: 1) there is an indistinct and haphazard source of menstrual information; 2) menstruation is perceived as "a natural gift"; 3) menstruation is also considered fearful and embarrassing; 4) negative community perceptions of menstruation lead to menstrual restrictions, and 5) lack of privacy for dealing with menstrual issues as well as the scarcity of menstrual hygiene management materials is an on going problem. Schoolgirls have indistinct and haphazard sources of information concerning menstrual hygiene management, obtaining it from teachers, mothers, sisters, and friends, but the information they receive is shrouded in secrecy and often is factually incorrect. Menstruation is commonly linked to notions of sexuality, shame, and the approach of marriageability. Conclusion: The information that schoolgirls in rural Tigray receive about menstrual hygiene management is inaccurate, insufficient, and encumbered with social taboos. Thus, schoolgirls do not have an adequate understanding of the physiology of menstruation and do not receive adequate emotional support at menarche, leaving them with feelings of embarrassment and anxiety. There should be efforts to implement programs that change community perceptions about menstruation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]