Understanding the Association between Menstrual Health and Hygiene Attitudes and Personal Agency Among Very Young Adolescents in Sao Paulo, Brazil: A Cross-sectional Study

Although menstruation is a monthly biological phenomenon, it is shrouded in stigma and shame which directly impacts health, education, gender equality, decent work, and economic growth. However, there is scarce evidence on how personal agency, an individual’s ability to access resources, may act as a protective factor to adequate menstrual health and hygiene practices. Therefore, we assess the association between attitudes toward menstruation and personal agency among very young adolescent girls.