Ms. SHERRY --
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia
+1
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Academic Career Length
6Years (2021-Present)
(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)
Representative Publications
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Journal Article
KHKathryn Holmes
Kathryn HolmesCCChristina Curry
Christina CurrySHERRY --TFTania Ferfolja
Tania FerfoljaKPKelly Parry
Kelly Parry
Mike Armour +2
Background: Poor menstrual health literacy impacts adolescents’ quality of life and health outcomes across the world. The aim of this systematic review was to identify concerns about menstrual health literacy in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). Methods: Relevant social science and medical databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers published from January 2008 to January 2020, leading to the identification of 61 relevant studies. Results: A thematic analysis of the data revealed that LMICs report detrimental impacts on adolescents in relation to menstrual hygiene and cultural issues, while in HICs, issues related to pain management and long-term health outcomes were reported more frequently. Conclusions: In order to improve overall menstrual health literacy in LMICs and HICs, appropriate policies need to be developed, drawing on input from multiple stakeholders to ensure evidence-based and cost-effective practical interventions.
7 June 2022 in Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education
Journal Article
CCChristina Curry
Christina CurryTFTania Ferfolja
Tania FerfoljaKHKathryn Holmes
Kathryn HolmesKPKelly Parry
Kelly ParrySHERRY --Mike ArmourMenstrual health literacy has a direct impact on young peoples’ quality of life, health, academic and professional performance. In Australia, the key learning area of Health and Physical Education [HPE] provides opportunities for students to develop menstrual health literacy. This paper reports on the findings of a survey of 5007 young Australian women aged 13–25 on their experiences of menstruation, dysmenorrhea and education. The discussion herein relates to the qualitative component that asked the question ‘What was the most useful information about menstruation received in HPE [Health and Physical Education] class?’ Applying a thematic analysis to the data, three key themes emerged. These include: (a) it’s all just biology; (b) the cause but not the effect, and; (c) too little, too late. The findings suggest limitations in educational approaches taken by teachers potentially resulting in poor menstrual health literacy portending long-term negative health consequences for some individuals.
27 February 2023 in The Australian Educational Researcher
Journal Article
TFTania Ferfolja
Tania FerfoljaKHKathryn Holmes
Kathryn HolmesCCChristina Curry
Christina CurrySHERRY --KPKelly Parry
Kelly ParryMike ArmourMenstrual management is recognized as a critical issue for young people internationally. Relatively little published research explores issues pertaining to menstruation in school education. This paper is based on the results of an Australian survey of 5007 young women aged 13–25, which examined their experiences of menstruation and dysmenorrhea. It focuses specifically on participant qualitative responses to the question, “What do you think schools could do to better support girls during their period?” Six key themes were identified across responses. These related to sanitation; pain management; removing stigma; adequate breaks; and being considerate. The findings reported herein highlight some of the challenges menstruating young people encounter at school and give voice to their needs; these have important implications for school improvement in this area.
21 March 2025 in Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management
Journal Article
About Me
I am an educator with a Masters of Secondary Teaching from Western Sydney University (WSU) and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Macquarie University. Currently, I am working towards gaining a Masters of Philosophy from the Queensland University of Technology.
Over the course of my Masters at WSU, I was selected for the Summer Research Scholarship program, for the project on Menstrual Health Education, being supervised by Professor Kathryn Holmes and Dr. Christina Curry. The two-part project aims to reduce the incidence of undiagnosed menstrual disorders, and improve the levels of knowledge and understanding of ‘health literacy’ relating to the menstrual cycle and its management among young women, particularly adolescents in schools.
During the course of this project, I developed a keen interest in educational research which was further enhanced while working as a research assistant at WSU. My current research project for M.Phil, being supervised by Dr. Kate Thompson & Dr. Charisse Farr, is aimed at improving the digital literacy skills of students from a refugee background joining schools in Australia.