Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Menarche, the first occurrence of menstruation, occurs at approximately 12 years of age and ends with menopause at roughly 51 years of age (Norman, 2014). A woman will have a monthly menstrual cycle for about 40 years of her life averaging to about 450 periods over the course of her lifetime (Nappi, et al, 2016). It is also important to recognize that transgender men and people with masculine gender identities, intersex and non-binary persons may also menstruate (Weiselberg 2022). At any given moment about 26% of the world's population is menstruating (Barrington et al. 2021). This integrated project involves research, extension, and teaching components proposed to address the growing concerns and issues surrounding menstruation, including the potential health risks posed to users of synthetic feminine hygiene products (FHP), advancing research in the development of FHP that use natural materials, as well as providing menstrual hygiene management (MHM) education for young women and girls.The specific objectives of this project are:a) to produce three natural fibers; regenerative cotton, regenerative wool and industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa);b) to develop patents for sustainable feminine hygiene sanitary products using the three natural fibers;c) to evaluate the FHP made from each of the natural fibers in comparison to the standard synthetic product;d) to educate young women and girls about MHM through an extension program;e) to enhance instruction for students in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences andf) to provide a local fiber processing center for fiber growers in Louisiana.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
20%
Developmental
60%
Goals / Objectives
The first goal is to research, process and utilize three alternative natural fibers - regenerative cotton, regenerative wool and industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) - in the development of sustainable, reusable and disposable feminine hygiene products (FHP) including pads, liners and underwear.The second goal is to provide an extension program targeting women and girls of reproductive age (roughly ages 12 to 51), especially adolescent girls and college age women, to provide education about managing menstruation, the pros and cons of different types of feminine hygiene products available and methods to create their own reusable sanitary products using natural fibers.The third goal is to enhance classroom instruction for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences, Animal Science and Plant and Soil Science programs by providing experiential learning experiences with industrial fiber production equipment and in the product development process of FHP as well as other textile products.The fourth goal is to establish our textiles lab as a local fiber processing facility for our community as the need has been expressed by our stakeholders.The specific objectives of this project are as follows:To produce (from fiber to fabric) three alternative natural fibers - regenerative cotton fiber, regenerative wool fiber and industrial hemp fiber (Cannabis sativa) - sourced from local farmers or grown and/or raised on site.To develop prototypes and patents for sustainable, reusable and disposable feminine hygiene sanitary pads, liners and undergarments using alternative natural fibers.To evaluate the usefulness, sustainability, toxicity, and preference for products made from each of the alternative natural fibers in comparison to the standard synthetic product.To educate young women and adolescent girls about menstrual hygiene management through an extension outreach program.To enhance instruction for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences, Animal Science and Plant and Soil Science programs.To provide a local fiber processing center for local fiber growers in Louisiana.
Project Methods
Methodology include:Objective 1: Three alternative natural fibers: regenerative cotton fiber, regenerative wool fiber and industrial hemp fiber, and wool fiber sourced from local farmers or grown and/or raised at Southern University as a part of current ongoing research will be processed in our textile lab using industrial grade fiber production machinery.Regenerative cotton fiber is a revolutionary development in the textile industry, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cotton fiber. Acadian Brown Cotton (ABC), an heirloom variety of upland cotton traditional to Louisiana, is grown using regenerative farming methods (Acadian Brown Cotton, 2023). For this project ABC, will be purchased from local farmers as a part of the Field to Fashion in Acadiana project - a regional fiber manufacturing initiative and member of the Acadiana Fibershed. The regenerative cotton fiber will be processed from the natural boll state and placed in a cotton ginning machine to separate the seeds and other residue from the fiber. Once the fiber is ginned the next step in the process is spinning the fiber into yarn. Processing raw cotton into yarn requires a series of spinning processes. For the university lab setting, a mini spinning system is appropriate.The hemp fiber will undergo a cottonisation process as well to convert the hemp into cotton like fibers so that it can be used on dry spinning machinery. The hemp fiber is then ready for the dry spinning process. Weaving is the last step in the process.Objective 2: This project will result in the development and patenting of several prototypes for reusable feminine hygiene products, including sanitary pads, liners, and underwear. These products will be innovatively crafted using alternative natural fibers, ensuring their sustainability and eco-friendliness. The prototypes will be designed to cater to the diverse needs of menstruating girls and women, with three distinct absorbency levels - light, regular, and super. Absorbency tests will be performed to determine the rate of absorbency for each alternative fiber. Additionally, the products will be available in a variety of sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for all users.The project will explore two unique concepts. The first concept involves the development of one-piece reusable feminine hygiene products, including pads, liners, and underwear. This design aims to provide a convenient and hassle-free experience for the users. The second concept is a more versatile approach, featuring a two-piece design.Objective 3: To carry out a comprehensive survey among a selected group of female students at Southern University. The primary focus of this survey will be to gauge the perceived usefulness of products made from various natural fibers, namely cotton, hemp, and wool, in comparison to standard synthetic products. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of our survey, we will be utilizing the robust "survey package of R" (R Core Team, 2023) for its design. This package is renowned for its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, making it an ideal choice for our project. The survey will consist of a series of questions with ordered responses, following the Likert scale model (Mangisfico, 2016). This model is widely recognized for its effectiveness in capturing the intensity of respondents' feelings towards a particular subject, which in our case, are the different types of fibers. Once the survey data is collected, we will proceed with its statistical analysis.Objective 4: To educate young women and adolescent girls about menstruation, methods for managing menstruation and how to create their own reusable feminine hygiene sanitary products using alternative natural fibers. Project Farm to Feminine Hygiene will offer extension workshops to empower young women and girls through education and practical skills. These workshops will provide a safe, supportive environment where young women and girls can learn about the biological aspects of menstruation, its role in the reproductive cycle, and the physical and emotional changes that accompany it. By understanding their bodies, these young women can better manage their health and well-being. The various methods for managing menstruation, including both commercial products and traditional methods will be discussed. Issues such as menstrual hygiene, pain management, and how to handle irregular periods will be addressed, and learn the creation of reusable feminine hygiene products, includinghow to make their own sanitary pads using alternative natural fibers. This skill not only promotes sustainability but also provides a cost-effective solution for those who may not have easy access to commercial sanitary products.Objective 5: To enhance instruction for students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences, Animal Science and Plant and Soil Science programs. We aim to achieve this by integrating experiential learning experiences using industrial fiber production equipment into our curriculum. Experiential learning is a well-documented and effective method for deepening students' understanding and retention of complex concepts. By providing our students with hands-on experience with industrial fiber production equipment, we can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This approach will not only enrich our students' learning experience but also equip them with valuable skills that are highly sought after in the industry.Objective 6. To provide a local fiber processing center for local fiber growers in Louisiana, our plan of operation begins with establishing a fully functional fiber processing facility at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This will involve the procurement and installation of necessary machinery and equipment, as well as the training of staff to operate these machines. This objective will involve a phased approach. The first phase will focus on the procurement of machinery and equipment, and the second phase will focus on staff training. The final phase will involve the actual processing of fiber crops, with a focus on quality control and efficiency.