Menstruation and its effects on women’s mobility and social engagement in Afghanistan: insights from the 2022-2023 MICS survey

Background: Menstruation, a natural and vital aspect of women's health, affects millions worldwide. Yet, 30% experience abnormal uterine bleeding and related symptoms like pain, anxiety, and fatigue, profoundly impacting their lives. Cultural stigmas and inadequate menstrual hygiene management further isolate girls and restrict their daily activities. Methods: Using a multistage sampling design, UNICEF's 2022-23 Afghanistan MICS survey analysed 23,568 households. The study used IBM SPSS version 29.0 to examine women's absenteeism due to menstruation, focusing on age, residence, education, and wealth index. Chi-square tests and odds ratios determined statistical significance. Results: The study revealed that menstruation greatly affected women's daily routines in Afghanistan. Many women said they had missed social events, work, or school because of their period. The study also established that absenteeism was significantly associated with demography, age, place of residence, education level and wealth index using chi-square tests and odds ratios. The findings revealed that younger women, women from rural settings, and women with low education or low wealth index were more likely to have missed activities due to menstruation. The present study highlights the importance of intervention focused on MHH and reducing school absenteeism among Afghan women. Conclusion: This study shows that menstruation has a major effect on women and girls' engagement in social, working, and learning activities in Afghanistan. Menstrual health concerns are not just a one-stop issue but involve education, environments, products, and policies. Interventions effectively improve women's quality of life, decrease absenteeism and increase access to education and employment opportunities.