Experts Gathered to Finalise BCC Materials for Countrywide Trial of Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Over 50% of Bangladeshi women and girls use cloths as menstrual absorbents, and the maintenance of cloths as menstrual absorbents is suboptimal, which leads to urogenital infections. However, menstruating women and girls are given little choice, as the sanitary pads available in the market are costly. With support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), one of the AdSEARCH innovations is assessing the feasibility of introducing a locally made disposable cloth pad named Sultana - icddr,b Reusable Cloth Pad (SiRCP) and Sultana washer and dryer bag.


As a study activity, the Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) Advisory Group Meeting was held at icddr,b to finalise the Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) materials for an MHH Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (CRCT) in Bangladesh health systems. The meeting served as a milestone in aligning technical insights before launching the intervention phase. This innovation is led by icddr,b in collaboration with DGFP, DGHS, CBHC, iDE Bangladesh, and RHSTEP, and is aiming to evaluate the intervention's efficacy and effectiveness through routine menstrual health and family welfare programmes of Government of Bangladesh.


The meeting brought together around 20 key stakeholders, including representatives from the government officials of DGHS, DGFP and Community-Based Healthcare (CBHC) services. The finalised SBCC materials, including a training manual and flipchart, will support efforts to strengthen menstrual health programmes for adolescent girls and women in selected regions of the country.