Menstrual hygiene practices in African correctional services: a narrative synthesis of barriers

Purpose Incarcerated women in African correctional services face substantial menstrual hygiene challenges, highlighting systemic health inequities and human rights issues. The purpose of this study is to explore the barriers to menstrual hygiene practices within African correctional services. Design/methodology/approach This is a comprehensive narrative review synthesising findings from recent studies and reports obtained through systematic searches of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, African Journal (previously SAePublications), EBSCOhost, EBSCO Discovery Service and Scopus. Findings This review identified three key themes that address the study’s purpose, including inadequate access to sanitary products, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, stigmatisation and lack of institutional support. Research limitations/implications One limitation of this review is the restriction to literature published between 2016 and 2024. Although this timeframe was chosen to ensure the relevance and contemporaneity of findings, it may have excluded earlier foundational studies that offer historical context. Additionally, limiting the review to peer-reviewed journal articles conducted within African countries ensured methodological rigour and contextual relevance but may have omitted valuable global perspectives. Research from other low- and middle-income regions, such as South Asia or Latin America, could provide transferable insights or innovative frameworks applicable to the African context. Practical implications The results highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive reforms in correctional systems, including consistent access to menstrual hygiene materials, improved WASH infrastructure and health-care personnel trained in women’s health. The findings also point to the necessity of institutionalising menstrual health education and awareness within correctional systems to combat stigma and empower incarcerated women. From a research standpoint, this review identifies a persistent dearth of empirical studies on menstrual hygiene management and practices in African correctional facilities. Social implications Cultural and societal stigma surrounding menstrual health in many African communities can lead to underreporting, as incarcerated women may be reluctant to disclose personal hygiene challenges, leading to potential gaps in the data. Originality/value This study holds significant social value as it brings visibility to the menstrual health challenges faced by incarcerated women, which is an often marginalised and voiceless population.