# Improving Menstrual Health Among Women and Girls Using Community Engaged Intervention Development in Nepal

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $153,501

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Despite being a natural physiological process, menstruation is often associated with health and safety
challenges, especially in low-resource settings. In Nepal, 90% of women and girls follow at least one menstrual
restriction. The most extreme is chhaupadi, a social-religious tradition in which women live in isolation during
menstruation, exposing them to harmful health consequences. There is a dearth of evidence regarding effective
approaches to address chhaupadi, which remains widespread. Research: This community-engaged study aims
to rigorously review extant intervention evidence, as well as co-design and pilot a culturally relevant chhaupadi
intervention to ultimately improve women’s health in Nepal. The study aims are as follows: Aim 1 - Conduct a
Realist Synthesis to elucidate the mechanisms of success or failure of chhaupadi interventions to date, including
key-informant interviews (KIIs) (n=35). Aim 2 - Co-design a chhaupadi intervention with women (n=30) in three
districts using participatory, human-centered design activities. The intervention will be refined via community
meetings (n=6) and KIIs (n=25). Aim 3 - Pilot test the intervention in two matched communities (intervention and
control, n=45). Surveys with standardized measures and focus group discussions (n=6) will be conducted to
assess feasibility, acceptability, and changes in health attitudes and behaviors expected to be impacted by the
intervention. Candidate: Dr. Sara Baumann is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of
Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences with extensive previous training in
community-engaged research and women’s reproductive health in Nepal. Training: Four training goals will
support Dr. Baumann’s trajectory toward becoming an independent investigator: 1) Acquire skills in Realist
Synthesis to identify underlying causal mechanisms and reasons for intervention success or failure; 2) develop
expertise in intervention development and assessment, as well as implementation science; 3) attain new skills
in clinical trial design applicable to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); and 4) gain essential skills in
leadership, mentorship, grant writing, and study management. Mentors/Environment: Dr. Baumann will be
supported by an exceptional team of international and multidisciplinary experts including a diverse mentorship
team, advisory board, consultants, and collaborating organizations in Nepal. Her mentorship team has expertise
in essential content and methodological areas such as intervention development, evaluation, clinical trials, and
statistical analyses. Her comprehensive career development plan includes substantial mentorship, didactic
training, and experiential learning at the University of Pittsburgh (US) and Tribhuvan University (Nepal). By
successfully completing these rigorous career development and research plans, Dr. Baumann will be fully
prepared to transition int...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10929522
- **Project number:** 5K01TW012424-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Sara Elizabeth Baumann
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $153,501
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-16 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10929522

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10929522, Improving Menstrual Health Among Women and Girls Using Community Engaged Intervention Development in Nepal (5K01TW012424-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10929522. Licensed CC0.

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