Factors Associated with Menstrual Hygiene Practices Among Adolescent Girls: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene management is an important component of adolescent reproductive health. However, menstrual hygiene practices are shaped not only by individual knowledge and attitudes but also by family support, socioeconomic conditions, sociocultural norms, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Objective: This narrative review aimed to identify and synthesize factors associated with menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and selected publisher-indexed journals. Articles were selected purposively based on relevance to the review topic, with priority given to studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries and Indonesia. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized narratively. Results: The included studies indicated that menstrual hygiene practices were associated with interconnected individual, interpersonal, socioeconomic, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Individual factors included menstrual knowledge, attitudes, educational level, and menstrual experience. Interpersonal factors included maternal education, parent–adolescent communication, family support, teachers, and sources of menstrual information. Socioeconomic conditions influenced affordability and access to menstrual materials. Stigma, myths, secrecy, and cultural restrictions could hinder appropriate practices. Environmental factors, particularly access to private toilets, water, handwashing facilities, and appropriate disposal facilities, were consistently important. Indonesian evidence showed that positive attitudes, school-based menstrual information, private household toilets, and covered waste bins were associated with better menstrual hygiene management.