scholarly journals Experiences of menstruation in high income countries: a systematic review, qualitative meta-synthesis and comparison to low- and middle-income countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Jennifer Barrington ◽  
Hannah Robinson ◽  
Emily Wilson ◽  
Julie Hennegan
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Context ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
High Income ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Protocol Registration ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of menstruation in achieving health, education, and gender equality for all. New policies in high income countries (HICs) have responded to anecdotal evidence that many struggle to meet their menstrual health needs. Qualitative research has explored lived experiences of menstruating in HICs and can inform intervention approaches. Methods and findings: Primary, qualitative studies capturing experiences of menstruation in HICs were eligible for inclusion. Systematic database and hand searching identified 11485 records. Following screening and quality appraisal using the EPPI-Centre checklist, 104 studies (120 publications) detailing the menstrual experiences of over 3800 individuals across sixteen countries were included. We used the integrated model of menstrual experiences developed from studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a starting framework and deductively and inductively identified antecedents contributing to menstrual experiences; menstrual experiences themselves and impacts of menstrual experiences. Included studies described consistent themes and relationships that fit well with the LMIC integrated model, with modifications to themes and model pathways identified through our analysis. The socio-cultural context heavily shaped menstrual experiences, manifesting in strict behavioural expectations to conceal menstruation and limiting the provision of menstrual materials. Resource limitations contributed to negative experiences, where dissatisfaction with menstrual practices and management environments were expressed along with feelings of disgust if participants felt they failed to manage their menstruation in a discrete, hygienic way. Physical menstrual factors such as pain were commonly associated with negative experiences, with mixed experiences of healthcare reported. Across studies participants described negative impacts of their menstrual experience including increased mental burden and detrimental impacts on participation and personal relationships. Positive experiences were more rarely reported, although relationships between cis-women were sometimes strengthened by shared experiences of menstrual bleeding. Included studies reflected a broad range of disciplines and epistemologies. Many aimed to understand the constructed meanings of menstruation, but few were explicitly designed to inform policy or practice. Few studies focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relevant to new policy efforts.Conclusions: We developed an integrated model of menstrual experience in HICs which can be used to inform research, policy and practice decisions by emphasising the pathways through which positive and negative menstrual experiences manifestReview protocol registration: The review protocol registration is PROSPERO: CRD42019157618.

scholarly journals Experiences of menstruation in high income countries: A systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis and comparison to low- and middle-income countries

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255001
Author(s):  
Dani Jennifer Barrington ◽  
Hannah Jayne Robinson ◽  
Emily Wilson ◽  
Julie Hennegan
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
High Income ◽  
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Protocol Registration ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background There is growing recognition of the importance of menstruation in achieving health, education, and gender equality for all. New policies in high income countries (HICs) have responded to anecdotal evidence that many struggle to meet their menstrual health needs. Qualitative research has explored lived experiences of menstruating in HICs and can contribute to designing intervention approaches. To inform the growing policy attention to support people who menstruate, here we review and synthesise the existing research. Methods and findings Primary, qualitative studies capturing experiences of menstruation in HICs were eligible for inclusion. Systematic database and hand searching identified 11485 records. Following screening and quality appraisal using the EPPI-Centre checklist, 104 studies (120 publications) detailing the menstrual experiences of over 3800 individuals across sixteen countries were included. We used the integrated model of menstrual experiences developed from studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a starting framework and deductively and inductively identified antecedents contributing to menstrual experiences; menstrual experiences themselves and impacts of menstrual experiences. Included studies described consistent themes and relationships that fit well with the LMIC integrated model, with modifications to themes and model pathways identified through our analysis. The socio-cultural context heavily shaped menstrual experiences, manifesting in strict behavioural expectations to conceal menstruation and limiting the provision of menstrual materials. Resource limitations contributed to negative experiences, where dissatisfaction with menstrual practices and management environments were expressed along with feelings of disgust if participants felt they failed to manage their menstruation in a discrete, hygienic way. Physical menstrual factors such as pain were commonly associated with negative experiences, with mixed experiences of healthcare reported. Across studies participants described negative impacts of their menstrual experience including increased mental burden and detrimental impacts on participation and personal relationships. Positive experiences were more rarely reported, although relationships between cis-women were sometimes strengthened by shared experiences of menstrual bleeding. Included studies reflected a broad range of disciplines and epistemologies. Many aimed to understand the constructed meanings of menstruation, but few were explicitly designed to inform policy or practice. Few studies focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relevant to new policy efforts. Conclusions We developed an integrated model of menstrual experience in HICs which can be used to inform research, policy and practice decisions by emphasising the pathways through which positive and negative menstrual experiences manifest. Review protocol registration The review protocol registration is PROSPERO: CRD42019157618.

scholarly journals Bridging the gaps between research, policy and practice in low- and middle-income countries: a survey of researchers

2010 ◽  
Vol 182 (9) ◽  
pp. E350-E361 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Lavis ◽  
G. E. Guindon ◽  
D. Cameron ◽  
B. Boupha ◽  
M. Dejman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Adherence to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines: A Systemic Review of High-Income and Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1038
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina B. Leme ◽  
Sophia Hou ◽  
Regina Mara Fisberg ◽  
Mauro Fisberg ◽  
Jess Haines
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
High Income ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Research comparing the adherence to food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) across countries with different socio-economic status is lacking, which may be a concern for developing nutrition policies. The aim was to report on the adherence to FBDGs in high-income (HIC) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). A systematic review with searches in six databases was performed up to June 2020. English language articles were included if they investigated a population of healthy children and adults (7–65 years), using an observational or experimental design evaluating adherence to national FBDGs. Findings indicate that almost 40% of populations in both HIC and LMIC do not adhere to their national FBDGs. Fruit and vegetables (FV) were most adhered to and the prevalence of adhering FV guidelines was between 7% to 67.3%. HIC have higher consumption of discretionary foods, while results were mixed for LMIC. Grains and dairy were consumed below recommendations in both HIC and LMIC. Consumption of animal proteins (>30%), particularly red meat, exceeded the recommendations. Individuals from HIC and LMIC may be falling short of at least one dietary recommendation from their country’s guidelines. Future health policies, behavioral-change strategies, and dietary guidelines may consider these results in their development.

Abstract WP418: A Systematic Comparison of Key Features of Ischaemic Stroke Prevention Guidelines in Low- and Middle-income vs High-income Countries

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hernan O Bayona ◽  
Mayowa Owolabi ◽  
Wayne Feng ◽  
James R Sawers ◽  
Paul Olowoyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
High Income ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Prevention Guideline ◽  
Prevention Guidelines ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Introduction: Implementation of contextually appropriate, evidence-based, expert-recommended stroke prevention guideline is particularly important in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), which bear disproportional larger burden of stroke while possessing fewer resources. Focus therefore, should be on approaches enabling healthcare systems to improve control of vascular risk factors. Objective: We aimed to compare important features of stroke prevention guidelines between LMICs and High Income Countries (HICs). Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, AJOL, SciELO, and LILACS databases for stroke prevention guidelines published between January 2005 and December 2015 by country. Primary search items included: “Stroke” and “Guidelines”. We critically appraised the articles for evidence level, issuance frequency and implementation aspects to clinical practice. Results: Among 45 stroke prevention guidelines published, 28 (62%) met eligibility criteria: 7 from LMICs (25%) and 21 from HICs (75%). LMIC-issued guidelines were less likely to have conflict of interest declarations (57% vs. 100%, p=0.01), involve high quality systematic reviews (57% vs. 95%, p= 0.03), had good dissemination channels (14% vs 71%, p=0.02). The patient views and preferences were the most significant stakeholder considerations in HICs (43%, p=0.04) compared with LMICs. Conclusion: The quality and quantity of stroke prevention guidelines in LMICs are less than those of HICs and need to be significantly improved upon.

scholarly journals Effective Strategies for Global Health Training Programs A Systematic Review of Training Outcomes in Low and Middle Income Countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aprill Z. Dawson ◽  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
Leonard E. Egede
Keyword(s):  
Medical Training ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
High Income ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Training Outcomes ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Low and middle-income countries face a continued burden of chronic illness and non-communicable diseases while continuing to show very low health worker utilization. With limited numbers of medical schools and a workforce shortage the poor health outcomes seen in many low and middle income countries are compounded by a lack of within country medical training.</p><p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Using a systematic approach, this paper reviews the existing literature on training outcomes in low and middle-income countries in order to identify effective strategies for implementation in the developing world. This review examined training provided by high-income countries to low- and middle-income countries.</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Based on article eligibility, 24 articles were found to meet criteria. Training methods found include workshops, e-learning modules, hands-on skills training, group discussion, video sessions, and role-plays. Of the studies with statistically significant results training times varied from one day to three years. Studies using both face-to-face and video found statistically significant results.</p><p><strong>DISCUSSION:</strong> Based on the results of this review, health professionals from high-income countries should be encouraged to travel to low- middle-income countries to assist with providing training to health providers in those countries.</p>

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