Teachers’ perspective on implementation of menstrual hygiene management and puberty education in a pilot study in Bangladeshi schools

Figures & data

Figure 1. Inclusion criteria for school selection

Table 1. Module overview of piloted puberty and menstruation education curriculum in urban and rural schools of Bangladesh in 2017–2018

Module and Session No.	Topic	Contents
Module 1	Growing Up	This module provides an introduction to the physical and mental changes that girls and boys can expect to experience as they move through adolescence and puberty.
Session 1.1	Introduction to puberty
Session 1.2	Physical changes in boys
Session 1.3	Physical changes in girls
Session 1.4	Mental and emotional changes
Module 2	Reproductive Systems	This module covers the basics of the anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems and provides information about nocturnal emission.
Session 2.1	Male reproductive system
Session 2.2	Nocturnal emission (Wet dreams)
Session 2.3	Female reproductive system
Module 3	Menstruation	This module introduces menstruation to both boys and girls. Girls receive detailed information about how to address menstrual needs including accessing and using hygienic menstrual materials, mitigating menstrual symptoms, and seeking support. Boys receive information on how they can support menstruating peers and learn about positive approaches to problem solving.
Session 3.1	Menstrual cycle
Session 3.2	Menstrual hygiene management: Part 1 (Girls Version) Supporting Our Peers (Boys Version)
Session 3.3	Menstrual hygiene management: Part 2 (Girls Version) Problem-Solving (Boys Version)
Session 3.4	Overcoming stigma
Module 4	Nutrition	The last module provides basic information about nutrition requirements during adolescence for growth and development and the importance of eating a diet high in iron and vitamin C for menstruating girls.
Session 4.1	Nutrition for growing adolescents

Table 2. Global comparison for teachers’ barriers in conducting classroom sessions on puberty, menstruation, and sexual and reproductive health education

	USA [34,35]	England [36]	Australia [37]	Swaziland [25]	Uganda [5]	Peru [38]	Thailand [39]	Malaysia [40]
Time management	✓	✓		✓	✓	✓
Large classroom				✓	✓
Lack of state priority	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓	✓
Lack of teachers’ training		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Lack of support	✓			✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Social opposition	✓			✓	✓			✓

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