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Research
Jasmin Foster
Abbotsleigh School
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4069-6482
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Introduction
Girls in low-and middle-income countries struggle to maintain good menstrual hygiene in part due to a lack of affordable sanitary products. The unaffordability of reliable sanitary products can lead to school absenteeism and is a barrier to education attainment and gender equality for girls in low income contexts. Further the lack of adequate disposal facilities can lead to social embarrassment and environmental pollution.
Methods
Low-cost biodegradable absorbents (cotton terry cloth, linen, hemp cloth and bamboo wadding) were investigated in gelatine solution in terms of their absorptivity for use in menstrual hygiene.
Results
Bamboo wadding exhibits the highest absorptivity index (7.86), greater than cotton terry cloth (0.84), hemp cloth (1.4), linen (1.57) and a commercial sanitary pad (4.38).
Conclusions
Though the absorptivity index of bamboo wadding is promising, especially in the light of the vast availability of bamboo in tropical low-and middle income countries, challenges lie in overcoming complex extraction processes from bamboo plants which is discussed.
Keywords
biodegradable, bamboo, natural fibre, absorptivity index, sanitary pad, menstruation
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research
Jasmin Foster
Abbotsleigh School
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4069-6482
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 16 Mar, 2021
No community comments so far
Subject Areas
Sexual & Reproductive Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Introduction
Girls in low-and middle-income countries struggle to maintain good menstrual hygiene in part due to a lack of affordable sanitary products. The unaffordability of reliable sanitary products can lead to school absenteeism and is a barrier to education attainment and gender equality for girls in low income contexts. Further the lack of adequate disposal facilities can lead to social embarrassment and environmental pollution.
Methods
Low-cost biodegradable absorbents (cotton terry cloth, linen, hemp cloth and bamboo wadding) were investigated in gelatine solution in terms of their absorptivity for use in menstrual hygiene.
Results
Bamboo wadding exhibits the highest absorptivity index (7.86), greater than cotton terry cloth (0.84), hemp cloth (1.4), linen (1.57) and a commercial sanitary pad (4.38).
Conclusions
Though the absorptivity index of bamboo wadding is promising, especially in the light of the vast availability of bamboo in tropical low-and middle income countries, challenges lie in overcoming complex extraction processes from bamboo plants which is discussed.
Figure 1
Figure 2
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