Table 2.

Major and sub-themes that emerged from the data on the challenges girls face in practicing menstrual hygiene in rural schools

Major themes	Sub-themes
Knowledge on menstruation and MHM	• Facts
	• Local understandings of menstruation
Menstrual materials	• Access
	• Absorbency
	• Availability in schools
School water, sanitation and hygiene facilities	• Water and soap
	• Privacy
	• Cleanliness
School attendance and menstruation	• Menstrual accidents at school
	• Girls’ behaviour during menstruation
	• Cultural views on school attendance during menstruation