A qualitative study of male’s knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards menstruation in urban informal settlements of Bangladesh

Menstruation remains a culturally sensitive and stigmatised issue in Bangladesh, where both adolescent boys and adult men often lack adequate knowledge and hold misperceptions about menstruation. This paper draws from a qualitative study conducted in urban informal settlement in Dhaka to explore the knowledge of and attitudes towards menstruation among men (adolescent boys and adult men). The study involved 25 in-depth interviews with 12 adolescent boys and 13 adult men in a single urban informal settlement (Kalyanpur) in Dhaka, using semi-structured guides and case vignettes, analysed using a framework analysis approach. This study has identified the persistence of widespread misinformation, cultural stigma, and limited formal education on menstruation amongst males. Sources which are informal such as peer-to-peer exchange, social media, and spouses are the primary channels of such information, and can lead to a fragmented and sometimes inaccurate understanding. While the participants acknowledged menstruation as a natural process, the study identified that deep-seated cultural taboos result in silence, shame, and limited dialogue on the topic. During the interviews, participants expressed willingness to learn and support menstruating women if given appropriate knowledge. These findings highlight the importance of engaging men in menstrual health education to challenge stigma, disrupt silence, and encourage supportive gender relations. Addressing these knowledge gaps and shifting male attitudes is essential for advancing gender equity and improving menstrual health outcomes in low-income urban settings.