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Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls' Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Montgomery
  • Caitlin R Ryus
  • Catherine S Dolan
  • Sue Dopson
  • Linda M Scott

Abstract

Background: Increased education of girls in developing contexts is associated with a number of important positive health, social, and economic outcomes for a community. The event of menarche tends to coincide with girls' transitions from primary to secondary education and may constitute a barrier for continued school attendance and performance. Following the MRC Framework for Complex Interventions, a pilot controlled study was conducted in Ghana to assess the role of sanitary pads in girls' education. Methods: A sample of 120 schoolgirls between the ages of 12 and 18 from four villages in Ghana participated in a non-randomized trial of sanitary pad provision with education. The trial had three levels of treatment: provision of pads with puberty education; puberty education alone; or control (no pads or education). The primary outcome was school attendance. Results: After 3 months, providing pads with education significantly improved attendance among participants, (lambda 0.824, F = 3.760, p

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Montgomery & Caitlin R Ryus & Catherine S Dolan & Sue Dopson & Linda M Scott, 2012. "Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls' Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(10), pages 1-7, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0048274
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048274
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castro, Silvia & Czura, Kristina, 2021. "Social Norms and Information in Menstrual Health Management," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242423, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    2. Czura, Kristina & Menzel, Andreas & Miotto, Martina, 2024. "Improved menstrual health and the workplace: An RCT with female Bangladeshi garment workers," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Castro, Silvia & Czura, Kristina, 2025. "Cultural taboos and misinformation about menstrual health management in rural Bangladesh," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    4. Rahul Kumar & Bipasha Maity, 2020. "Menstrual Restrictions and Women's Health in Nepal," Working Papers 45, Ashoka University, Department of Economics.
    5. Clement Adamba & Justina Addai, 2025. "“My daughter wore pads only during the day and used rags at night”: Sanitary pad accessibility and educational outcomes for girls in Ghana," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 43(5), September.
    6. Nguegang, Fabrice & Kum, Fuein Vera, 2024. "Promoting menstrual health management among women and girls in Mehe (Cameroon) through a pilot testing project: A quasi-experimental study," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    7. Emmy De Buck & Hans Van Remoortel & Karin Hannes & Thashlin Govender & Selvan Naidoo & Bert Avau & Axel Vande Veegaete & Alfred Musekiwa & Vittoria Lutje & Margaret Cargo & Hans‐Joachim Mosler & Phili, 2017. "Approaches to promote handwashing and sanitation behaviour change in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a mixed method systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 1-447.
    8. Julie Hennegan & Paul Montgomery, 2016. "Do Menstrual Hygiene Management Interventions Improve Education and Psychosocial Outcomes for Women and Girls in Low and Middle Income Countries? A Systematic Review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Kwaku Oppong Asante & Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie & Johnny Andoh-Arthur, 2021. "COVID-19 school closure and adolescent mental health in sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(7), pages 958-960, November.

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