Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia
Menstrual cycle tracking is increasingly integrated into menstrual health education and is frequently supported by mobile applications. While menstrual cycle tracking can help adolescents understand their bodies and cycles, research into their everyday tracking practices remains limited. We conducte...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Adolescence and Youth |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2539444 |
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| author | Heather Suttor Kadek Putri Yamayanti Ni Luh Eka Purni Astiti Tungga Dewi Ansariadi Ansariadi Julie Hennegan Richard D. Chenhall |
| author_facet | Heather Suttor Kadek Putri Yamayanti Ni Luh Eka Purni Astiti Tungga Dewi Ansariadi Ansariadi Julie Hennegan Richard D. Chenhall |
| author_sort | Heather Suttor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Menstrual cycle tracking is increasingly integrated into menstrual health education and is frequently supported by mobile applications. While menstrual cycle tracking can help adolescents understand their bodies and cycles, research into their everyday tracking practices remains limited. We conducted a participatory and ethnographic study with 24 adolescent girls and six adults, including teachers, in Bali, Indonesia. Drawing on data from group discussions, interviews, and participant observation, we describe how participants engaged and experimented with menstrual cycle tracking. Guided by a ‘logic of care’, we explore how participants tracked their menstrual cycles in sporadic, relational and embodied ways and how these practices diverged from the systematic and individualised approach to tracking imagined through apps. We found participants adapted tracking practices according to their changing bodies, local contexts, and the perceived usefulness of tools and technologies. We propose that care provides menstrual health researchers and practitioners a valuable lens to explore adolescents’ emerging menstrual practices, while enriching discussions on menstrual tracking education and the use of health-supporting technologies among younger populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-32b7e9204b4749e7a544f189052dcd62 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0267-3843 2164-4527 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Adolescence and Youth |
| spelling | doaj-art-32b7e9204b4749e7a544f189052dcd622025-08-20T03:38:55ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Adolescence and Youth0267-38432164-45272025-12-0130110.1080/02673843.2025.2539444Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, IndonesiaHeather Suttor0Kadek Putri Yamayanti1Ni Luh Eka Purni Astiti2Tungga Dewi3Ansariadi Ansariadi4Julie Hennegan5Richard D. Chenhall6Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaPerfect Fit Indonesia, PT Putri Fajar Inspirasi, IndonesiaPerkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI) Daerah Bali, IndonesiaPerfect Fit Indonesia, PT Putri Fajar Inspirasi, IndonesiaCentre for Epidemiology and Population Health Studies, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, IndonesiaMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, AustraliaMenstrual cycle tracking is increasingly integrated into menstrual health education and is frequently supported by mobile applications. While menstrual cycle tracking can help adolescents understand their bodies and cycles, research into their everyday tracking practices remains limited. We conducted a participatory and ethnographic study with 24 adolescent girls and six adults, including teachers, in Bali, Indonesia. Drawing on data from group discussions, interviews, and participant observation, we describe how participants engaged and experimented with menstrual cycle tracking. Guided by a ‘logic of care’, we explore how participants tracked their menstrual cycles in sporadic, relational and embodied ways and how these practices diverged from the systematic and individualised approach to tracking imagined through apps. We found participants adapted tracking practices according to their changing bodies, local contexts, and the perceived usefulness of tools and technologies. We propose that care provides menstrual health researchers and practitioners a valuable lens to explore adolescents’ emerging menstrual practices, while enriching discussions on menstrual tracking education and the use of health-supporting technologies among younger populations.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2539444Menstrual healthtrackingcareadolescentIndonesiaqualitative |
| spellingShingle | Heather Suttor Kadek Putri Yamayanti Ni Luh Eka Purni Astiti Tungga Dewi Ansariadi Ansariadi Julie Hennegan Richard D. Chenhall Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia International Journal of Adolescence and Youth Menstrual health tracking care adolescent Indonesia qualitative |
| title | Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia |
| title_full | Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia |
| title_fullStr | Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia |
| title_short | Tracking the changing body with care: a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in Bali, Indonesia |
| title_sort | tracking the changing body with care a qualitative study on menstrual cycle tracking among adolescent girls in bali indonesia |
| topic | Menstrual health tracking care adolescent Indonesia qualitative |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2025.2539444 |
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