Addressing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Among Adolescent and Young Women in Kenya

Irene Njuguna of Emory University in the U.S. will determine the prevalence and impact of heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescent girls and young women in a variety of community settings in Kenya, as well as the barriers to treatment delivery and uptake. Two thousand adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24 across rural and urban communities in Kenya will be surveyed to determine heavy menstrual bleeding prevalence, and their hemoglobin levels will be measured to assess for anemia as a consequence. Interviews and focus group discussions with participants as well as with care providers will be performed to assess the available options for care and treatment of the condition, including patient referral pathways, and to identify barriers hindering patients from seeking care and providers from delivering it.