Development and Validation of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Stigma Scale in Low Socioeconomic Populations

Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) are a critical aspect of women's health, yet it is often shrouded in stigma, particularly in low socioeconomic populations. This stigma can lead to inadequate menstrual hygiene management, adversely affecting the physical and psychological well-being of women and girls. Despite the recognition of this issue, there is a lack of validated scales to measure menstrual health and hygiene stigma comprehensively. Existing literature indicates a significant gap in the measurement tools available for assessing menstrual stigma. Most studies have focused on qualitative assessments or used ad-hoc scales without thorough validation. A validated MHHSS would provide a reliable and standardized tool to assess stigma and its determinants, aiding in the design of effective public health strategies. This Grand challenges Canada (GCC) funded project aims to develop and validate a comprehensive Menstrual Health and Hygiene Stigma Scale (MHHSS) tailored for low socioeconomic populations. This scale will help in identifying the extent of stigma and its impact on MHH practices, facilitating targeted interventions. Item Generation through comprehensive literature review to identify existing measures and gaps was conducted by a team of researcher led by reproductive Scientist Farhana Rahman at ICDDRB Bangladesh. Initial pool of items based on qualitative data and expert consultations was conducted, necessary data on items has just been completed. Data is now awaiting Psychometric Analysis. Planned analysis Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the scale's factor structure. Assessment of internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha Examine correlations with related constructs such as self-esteem, social support, and menstrual hygiene practices. Developing and validating the MHHSS will fill a crucial gap in menstrual health research, providing a robust tool for measuring stigma. This will enable more effective interventions to improve menstrual health and hygiene among women and girls in low socioeconomic populations, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and empowerment.