Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a most important but under-researched aspect of adolescent health, particularly in girls with physical and mental disabilities. These girls have secondary social, cultural and structural hindrances. Menstrual health among Indians is influenced by the cultural beliefs, gender norms, and lack of access to inclusive health education. In particular, such challenges are a lot more severe in sub-urban and semi-urban places. This is an overview paper that involves the compilation of the available literature, policy frameworks, and research. It explores the concept of menstrual health awareness in physically and mentally challenged adolescent girls in the suburban Odisha. The four dimensions that are interrelated, and the emphasis of the paper is knowledge and awareness about menstruation, cultural beliefs and taboos, access to sanitary products and supportive infrastructure, and the effectiveness of educational interventions in facilitating inclusive menstrual health practices. Through the interdisciplinary perspective that relies on public health, gender studies, disability studies, and education, the paper identifies areas of constant unawareness, inaccessibility, and a lack of institutional support. It further explains ethical, policy, and governance issues which can be applicable to design relationships of women-led as well as community-focused interventions. The abstract locates urgent research gaps and highlights the necessity of disability-sensitive culturally responsive and ethically informed menstrual health interventions. This paper will inform researchers, policymakers, educators, and care providers and seek to add to the creation of equitable and inclusive menstrual health policy among adolescent girls with disabilities.
Arpita Nayak (Thu,) studied this question.
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