ERIC Number: EJ1436125
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0311-6999
EISSN: EISSN-2210-5328
Available Date: N/A
"What's Going On in My Body?": Gaps in Menstrual Health Education and Face Validation of "My Vital Cycles"®, an Ovulatory Menstrual Health Literacy Program
Australian Educational Researcher, v51 n4 p1141-1160 2024
There is a high prevalence of adolescent girls with ovulatory menstrual (OM) dysfunction, which is associated with school absenteeism and mental health challenges. Low menstrual health literacy among this group has evoked calls to review OM health education. This qualitative study sought to explore gaps in current OM health education and to validate a holistic school-based OM health literacy program named "My Vital Cycles"®. Findings are based on 19 written reflections, six focus group discussions and three interviews conducted with 28 girls aged 14-18 years from 11 schools, and five mothers. Six themes compared current OM health education with "My Vital Cycles"®: understating health, comprehensiveness, resources, teaching, parents and cycle tracking. Future refinements to the program comprised: inclusion of the complete reproductive lifespan, use of visual media and developing a mobile application. These findings inform future research in a whole school approach, strengths-based teaching and changes in the health curriculum.
Descriptors: Females, Physiology, Adolescents, Health Education, Program Effectiveness, Mothers, Attendance, Mental Health, Well Being, Holistic Approach, Attitudes, Knowledge Level
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A