Examining the safety of menstrual cups among rural primary school girls in western Kenya: observational studies nested in a randomised controlled feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Examine the safety of menstrual cups against sanitary pads and usual practice in Kenyan schoolgirls.

Design

Observational studies nested in a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study.

Setting

30 primary schools in a health and demographic surveillance system in rural western Kenya.

Participants

Menstruating primary schoolgirls aged 14-16 years participating in a menstrual feasibility study.

Interventions

Insertable menstrual cup, monthly sanitary pads or 'usual practice' (controls).

Outcome measures

Staphylococcus aureus vaginal colonization, Escherichia coli growth on sampled used cups, toxic shock syndrome or other adverse health outcomes.

Results

Among 604 eligible girls tested, no adverse event or TSS was

SUBMITTER: Juma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5566618 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature