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UFS Department of Chemistry to bring relief to many with invention of reusable sanitary pads

26 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs

A new reusable sanitary pad (RSP) will bring relief to many women during their menstrual cycle.

Dr Marietjie Schutte-Smith, Senior Lecturer in the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Chemistry, together with Prof Deon Visser, Head of the Department of Chemistry, and Prof Lizette Erasmus, Associate Professor in the same department, are leading a diverse team that decided 18 months ago to do something about the challenge of not having access to conventional sanitary ware and water due to poverty and infrastructure challenges – a challenge many young women in South Africa face every month.

The team included Prof Katinka de Wet, Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, in this process in an effort to gain a better understanding of the current perceptions, experiences, and preferences of those who will ultimately use these sanitary products.

“We wanted to do research that has a direct and tangible impact on our immediate society,” says Prof Erasmus.

New technology

The research team turned their focus to reusable sanitary pads (RSPs), specifically the invention of a product that can be cleaned without being exposed to direct sunlight.

Dr Schutte-Smith explains that most RSPs must be exposed to direct sunlight to dry and prevent bacterial growth. “Exposing RSPs to sunlight is challenging for users residing in densely populated areas, besides the fact that many people find the public display of sanitary products embarrassing.”

She believes a product that can be washed and left indoors to dry, one that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties under normal light conditions, and with durable superabsorbent inner layers, could alleviate some of these challenges.

The team then started working on technology including nanoparticles (NPs) that affix to textiles and will kill germs and fungi when exposed to normal light.

Prof Erasmus says, “Attaching NPs to materials is not a new concept, however, the use of nanoparticles that are activated by normal light conditions is new… Also, we have synthesised several absorbent materials using natural fibres and biopolymers as the main constituents. This is an ongoing process to enhance their absorbent properties and durability so that they can be included in our product.”

We wanted to do research that has a direct and tangible impact on our immediate society. – Prof Lizette Erasmus

She adds that when the RSPs are eventually discarded (after four to five years) they will break down in the environment and not contribute further to the plastic waste problem the world is facing. Most disposable sanitary pads (DSPs) are not environmentally friendly and take 500 to 800 years to decompose.

Dr Schutte-Smith goes on to explain that the sanitary ware will be manufactured by sewing different layers together. “The outer lower layer will consist of a hydrophobic (fluid-repellent) layer to prevent leaking, and the inner layer will consist of the synthesised and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP).”

The product will be mixed into cotton and will be removable (for better cleaning). “It will also contain NPs that use natural indoor light to disinfect. The top layer also contains our nanotechnology and will relay fluids to the absorbent inner layer.”

Social implications

Besides the important work being done by chemists to incorporate technology that will ensure the product makes sense scientifically, it is also important that the experiences, perceptions, and ideas of end users are kept in mind.

Prof De Wet says social scientists were included in the design and development of this product to ensure that the actual needs of the end users are taken into consideration. The idea is to collaborate with school learners and university students to get their feedback on the development and eventual use of these newly developed RSPs.

“The aim, therefore, is to sensitise menstruating individuals as to the possible personal advantages of using reusable sanitary pads, including that it is less expensive in the long run, thus eliminating the problem of access to quality and reliable sanitary ware. There could even be some potential health advantages to using such products, as current disposable products contain phthalates that have been shown to have adverse health effects on individuals,” she states.

Prof De Wet also points out the environmental benefits of using reusable sanitary products, and the importance of sensitising young people to the environmental costs of single-use plastic consumption, of which sanitary ware is a major contributor. “Environmental consciousness is part of the social side of the project, given the pressures globally on the human-induced impact on our planet, and its devastating consequences,” she says. “We want the science (chemistry) to have a real social impact in people’s lives individually, socially, and environmentally.”

Future steps

According to Prof Visser, the team already has a prototype in place, which now needs to be perfected through inputs from end users. They hope to have an industry partner within the next six months that will help to get this product on the market.

The team of chemists worked hard to develop a product that will have the potential to change many lives for the better, allowing young girls and women to thrive in life.

News Archive

Conference: Expanded ARV treatment

2005-03-02

VENUE: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
DATE: 30 March 2005 - 1 April 2005

ARV Programme as on 24Feb Download Word document
Programme Special events Download Word document

Official web site www.fshealth.gov.za/subsites/arvc

Rationale for the Conference
At the time of the planned Conference, much ground would have been covered, both in the Free State and in South Africa, in respect of the expanded public sector ARV treatment programme in respect of research, experiences in practice, training of staff, treatment of patients, lessons learned, successes and failures, etc. The time would then be quite opportune to share these in a systematic manner with other provinces and countries, as well as with the large variety of stakeholders and role players in the ARV and related domains, be they academics and researchers, policy makers and service/facility managers, the variety of caregivers, and the community organisations and affected patients.

The Conference and current research
The proposed Conference is, firstly, directly linked to the current research on the public sector roll-out of ARV treatment in the Free State conducted by several research institutions (e.g. CIET, CHSR&D, UCT Lung Institute). Secondly, the Conference could and would serve as a forum for other research groups in the country and further a field to report and share knowledge and experiences on ARV treatment and related initiatives. Lastly, the Conference will stage a golden opportunity for researchers and scientists, on the one hand, and policy makers, managers, and caregivers (as knowledge users), on the other hand, to engage in cross-disciplinary discourse on this mutual and topical theme.

Theme of Conference
Expanded ARV treatment in the Free State: sharing experiences

Focus
The focus is primarily on public sector ARV treatment in the Free State, but also initiatives/activities/perspectives of relevance to the Free State elsewhere in the country at large and further a field, as well as relevant ARV initiatives in the public, private, NGO and FBO sectors. Bear in mind, however, that ARV treatment is but part of a much more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS. The Conference will, therefore, not narrowly focus on the ARV treatment programme only. The broader context, other relevant dimensions, and a comprehensive approach to the challenges of HIV, AIDS and TB are of equal importance.

The purpose of the Conference
Enhance meaningful exchange, mutual understanding and collaboration among researchers, scientists, policy makers, managers and practitioners in the field of ARV treatment and related fields.

Share experiences in the various spheres of ARV treatment and related spheres (policy, management, practice, research, training, public-private-civil society sectors).

Record, reflect and report on the establishment of the ARV treatment programme in the Free State, and in within the context of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme.

Disseminate important research results on ARV treatment and related themes to health policy makers, managers, practitioners, communities and to the research community.

Stimulate discourse among various disciplines and various stakeholders/role players involved in ARV treatment and related programmes.

Sensitise and acquaint researchers to the requirements of policy makers, managers and practitioners in respect of ARV treatment and related fields.

Facilitate the implementation of research results in ARV treatment policy, programmes and practice.

Dissemination of Conference-related information
Information generated during the Conference could feed into policy, management and practice of ARV treatment, the training accompanying such programme, and the existing body of knowledge. After the Conference the information will be disseminated via the Internet and by scientific and popular publications.

Date and duration
Set for 30 & 31 March & 1 April 2005; to commence at 09:00 on the first day (30 March) and to end at 16:30 (1 April) the third day.

Format and scope of Conference
Alternating plenary, parallel sessions and debates focused on topical issues and interest groups. The Conference will strive to be maximally interactive and participative.

Themes and topics to cover:

Policy, management and health services/practice (various levels and contexts – clinical treatment, information, IT systems, pharmacy, laboratories, nutrition)
Research covering all relevant disciplines and diverse dimensions of ARV treatment and related themes
Training and evaluation of training
Patients, communities and civil society organisations
Public, private, NGO, FBO initiatives and partnerships

Emphasis will be on the Free State, however, with of significant involvement from other provinces, SADC countries, and countries further a field. The thrust will be to export lessons and experiences from the Free State, but also to import lessons and experiences from other provinces, countries and sectors.

Presenters
Key presenters from the Free State, other provinces, South Africa, from the private, FBO and NGO sectors, and from several other countries

Delegates
About half of the delegates will be Free State stakeholders and role players (all levels and all contexts). The other half will be role players and stakeholders in the ARV and related fields from other provinces, the national level, and other countries, as well as from the private, public and non-governmental sectors.

Focused workshops
Provision will be made for half-a-day or one-day workshop initiatives on the third day (1 April 2005).

Enquiries
For more information please contact:

Prof Dingie van Rensburg
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloenfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
9300

Contact:
Carin van Vuuren
Conference Organiser
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
P.O.Box 339
Bloemfontein
South Africa
9300
Tel +27 (0) 51 401 2181
Fax +27 (0) 51 4480370
Cell 0832932890
e-mail: arvconference.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za

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