Sexual Risk Behaviors and Menstrual and Intravaginal Practices Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional, School-Based Study

Abstract

Objectives

Objectives were to describe menstrual and intravaginal practices and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Tanzania.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in secondary schools in Tanzania. Data on menstrual practices (e.g., product use), intravaginal practices (e.g., douching), and sexual risk were analyzed using chi-square and loglinear analyses.

Results

Menstrual risk practices were common. Sexual risk behaviors and intravaginal practices were high among AGYW reporting sexual debut.

Conclusions

High levels of menstrual, intravaginal, and sexual risk practices highlight the need to improve menstrual, sexual, and intravaginal practices, particularly among sexually active AGYW.

Keywords:

• Menstruation
• sexual risk
• intravaginal practices
• Tanzania
• adolescents

Acknowledgements

This work was possible due to the generous collaborative efforts of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College and Femme International. Internal funding at Duke University was provided by the Duke Global Health Institute, the Charles Lafitte Foundation Program for Research in Psychology, The Graduate School, and the Center for International and Global Studies. We thank Neema Macha, Mage Mark, Jessica Coleman, Olivia Hunt, Emily Mawyer, and Elizabeth Knippler for their contributions to this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Duke University, including the Duke Global Health Institute, the Charles Lafitte Foundation Program for Research in Psychology, The Graduate School, and the Center for International and Global Studies.