Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Abraham, Daniel M.; Saliha, F.B. Title A name given to the resource Awareness and perception of adolescent boys about menstruation: an exploratory study from rural India Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Discover public health;Volume;22;Issue;1;Article No.;205; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00600-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00600-y</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003857781?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105003857781?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Abraham D.M., Department of Psychology, University of Calicut, Calicut University (P.O.), Kerala, Malappuram, 673635, India, Christ University, Karnataka, Bangalore, 560029, India; Saliha F.B., Department of Psychology, University of Calicut, Calicut University (P.O.), Kerala, Malappuram, 673635, India, Farook College (Autonomous), P.O. Farook College, Kerala, Kozhikode, 673632, India Description An account of the resource Background/objectives: Menstruation, despite being a natural process, remains stigmatized in many patriarchal societies, where taboos and misinformation perpetuate silence and misconceptions. This study investigates adolescent boys awareness and perceptions of menstruation in rural India, examining the influence of cultural, educational, and social factors on their understanding. Methods: Employing an exploratory qualitative design, a focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted with eight 15-year-old boys from a rural secondary school in Kerala, India. The session was audio-recorded and supplemented with detailed field notes to capture verbal and non-verbal insights. Braun and Clarkes thematic analysis framework was used to identify key themes. Results: Three primary themes emerged: Levels of awareness (ranging from correct but insufficient to lack), Sources of knowledge (media, peers, cultural practices), and Desire for further knowledge. Findings indicate that fragmented or inaccurate knowledge, shaped by cultural and societal norms, reinforces stereotypes and stigma around menstruation. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for inclusive and culturally sensitive educational interventions for boys, aimed at dispelling myths and fostering empathy. Such programs can contribute to improved awareness, reduced stigma, and greater support for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices. Future research should assess similar interventions across broader contexts to determine their impact on challenging menstrual taboos. The Author(s) 2025. Subject The topic of the resource Adolescent boys; Focus group discussion; Gender-inclusive education; Menstrual awareness; Menstrual hygiene management; Menstrual taboos; Menstruation; Thematic analysis Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available BioMed Central Ltd Relation A related resource ISSN: 30050774; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online