Factors associated with declining a menstrual cup among female students and their parents in Ugandan secondary schools: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: A greater choice of menstrual products may improve menstrual health (MH). This study assessed factors associated with declining consent to receive a menstrual cup by parents and female students participating in a MH intervention trial in Ugandan schools.

Methods: We analysed baseline data from a cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a multicomponent MH intervention among female students in 60 Ugandan secondary schools.

Understanding menstrual factors associated with poor mental health among female secondary school students in Uganda: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: There is growing global concern about poor mental health among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, adolescent girls face multiple challenges in managing menstruation which can impact both their health and wellbeing. In this study we address an evidence gap on the association of a broad range of menstrual-related factors with mental health problems amongst secondary school female adolescents in Uganda.

Impact of DREAMS interventions on attitudes towards gender norms among adolescent girls and young women: Findings from a prospective cohort in Kenya.

The DREAMS partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive package to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), including through shifting gender norms. We evaluate DREAMS' effect on attitudes towards gender norms in two Kenyan settings. AGYW aged 15-22 in Nairobi (n = 852) and Gem (n = 761) were randomly selected for cohort enrolment in 2017-18 and followed-up to 2019.

Understanding the social and physical menstrual health environment of secondary schools in Uganda: A qualitative methods study.

Adolescent girls face social, psychological, and physical problems managing menstruation in schools in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the social and physical menstrual health environment of secondary schools in Wakiso and Kalungu districts, Uganda, in preparation for a subsequent menstrual health intervention trial to improve education, health and wellbeing. We conducted a qualitative rapid assessment in 75 secondary schools in Uganda.

Menstrual health interventions, schooling, and mental health problems among Ugandan students (MENISCUS): study protocol for a school-based cluster-randomised trial.

Background: Menstrual health is an increasingly recognised public health issue, defined as complete physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle. The MENISCUS trial aims to assess whether a multi-component intervention addressing physical and emotional aspects of menstrual health improves educational attainment, mental health problems, menstrual management, self-efficacy, and quality of life among girls in secondary school in Uganda.

Methods: The study is a parallel-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial with 60 schools (clusters) in Wakiso and Kalungu districts, with a mixed-methods process evaluation to assess intervention fidelity and acceptability and economic and policy analyses.

'Learn from the lessons and don't forget them': identifying transferable lessons for COVID-19 from meningitis A, yellow fever and Ebola virus disease vaccination campaigns.

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccines are now being distributed to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with global urgency surrounding national vaccination plans. LMICs have significant experience implementing vaccination campaigns to respond to epidemic threats but are often hindered by chronic health system challenges. We sought to identify transferable lessons for COVID-19 vaccination from the rollout of three vaccines that targeted adult groups in Africa and South America: MenAfriVac (meningitis A); 17D (yellow fever) and rVSV-ZEBOV (Ebola virus disease).