Rabin, Megan
(2024)
Exploring the Feasibility of a Social Media Intervention for Nepali Menstruators.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Menstrual stigma and restrictions are a common aspect of Nepali culture across generations and
are often a barrier to health and empowerment for menstruating girls and women. As such,
interventions are necessary to reduce restrictions, combat stigma, and promote menstrual
knowledge and menstrual hygiene management (MHM). In the age of global connections
through technology, social media presents an opportunity to act as a platform for future
menstrual health interventions. This study seeks to explore the feasibility of implementing a
social media intervention in Nepal by conducting interviews and a focus group discussion (FGD)
with menstrual health professionals and young women in Kathmandu, Nepal. Based on fourteen
interviews and one ten-person FGD, results illuminate gaps in menstrual health education and
inaccessibility of menstrual health outreach efforts nationwide, signaling a need for menstrual
health education and interventions to normalize menstrual processes and curb menstrual
restrictions.
Social media is uniquely poised to fill gaps in Nepali youth menstrual health education and
normalization efforts. This study finds considerable support for a social media intervention
among menstrual health professionals and young women. Their experiences with menstruation
and menstrual outreach efforts highlight the success of specific tactics such as organizational
collaboration with influencers, young people, and other menstrual health organizations.
Furthermore, interviews illuminate the need for sustained outreach over time to gradually shift
cultural mindsets around menstruation. This study holds public health significance in its novel
exploration of social media as a potential intervention tool for improving menstrual health in
Nepal and offers insight from a variety of young people and menstrual health professionals in the
country.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
2 January 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
11 December 2023 |
| Approval Date: |
2 January 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
14 December 2023 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
71 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
social media, menstruation, nepal, gender equality, womens empowerment |
| Date Deposited: |
02 Jan 2024 22:15 |
| Last Modified: |
02 Jan 2024 22:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/45687 |
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