“So often interventions have failed to help low income countries because the needs and constraints of the poor were overlooked. You [Reemi] turned to research to understand the problem. You are advancing knowledge in the world and building a long lasting solution.”
Research papers & manuscripts
Published Paper: How stigma can impact the adoption of innovative menstrual products
Our randomised control trial conducted in conjunction with Dr Silvia Castro and Dr Clarissa Mang from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich was recently published in the Journal of Development Economics.
This work explores how stigma can impact the adoption of innovative menstrual products.
Working paper: Men and Menstruation: Reducing Stigma through a Workplace Awareness Campaign
In Bangladesh, we trialled the inclusion of men through a workplace awareness campaign and this data was analysed by Evelina Griniute and Dr Silvia Castro from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich as a Working Paper.
This work highlights untapped potential of involving men in the education of menstrual health practices.
Featured: Adapting menstrual health interventions for people with intellectual disabilities in emergencies
Throughout the campaign, project staff and caregivers highlighted that reusable menstrual materials distributed in the Veivanua campaign such as reusable pads which often have press studs, could be challenging to use, especially if the caregiver or young person has a physical or visual impairment.
In response to this feedback, World Vision partnered with Reemi, a New Zealand-based social enterprise, to pilot and test the suitability of period underwear with participants as an alternative, environmentally sustainable menstrual material for future humanitarian responses.
Dr Jane Wilbur and Chloe Morrison preset their full paper in Frontiers of Sanitation here.
Working Paper: Reusable Menstrual Underwear: Use and Acceptability by Internally Displaced Women in Somalia
This study was a prospective longitudinal study among a random sample of 295 internally displaced women who received menstrual underwear with bags for washing and drying. Surveys were completed, at and within 12 months after the distribution, to capture demographics, menstrual practices, use of the menstrual materials, and acceptability or issues with the materials. Descriptive statistics summarised key variables, and logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the use of the menstrual underwear.
Co-authored by Medair and London School of Health and Tropical Medicine. Working Paper available here.
Working Paper: Menstrual Health Innovations in High-Severity Settings: The Role of Social Norms and Men for Adoption and Well-being
For years, the sector has worried that reusable menstrual products wouldn’t be adopted due to limited WASH infrastructure, privacy concerns, and perceived social acceptability. This research puts those assumptions to the test using real user data before and after product distribution.
Evidence is presented from Mali, Central African Republic and Somalia. Authored by Dr Silvia Castro, Dr Kristina Czura, Carolina Formella and Schazah Khalid.
Working Paper available here.
Coming in 2026:
- Working paper: Adoption and Use of Reusable Menstrual Underwear in Gaza: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study
