Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices among Female Secondary School Students in Umuahia, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Proper menstrual hygiene management is essential for the good health of women. Access to clean water and sanitary facilities is essential for maintaining good hygiene. The objective of this study was to assess the menstrual hygiene management practices among female secondary school students in Umuahia, South-Eastern Nigeria. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study of which a well-structured questionnaire was administered among secondary school girls in Umuahia, Nigeria. Results showed that for “washing of hands with soap and running water”, 20 students representing 9.52% indicated very high level (VH) of practice, 28 students representing 13.33% indicated high level (H) of practice, while 64(30.48%) and 98 (46.67%) indicated low level (LL) and very low level (VL) of practice respectively. For “washing of hands before meals” 107 (50.95%) and 62 (29.52%) indicated that they did it to a VH and H respectively, while 29 (13.81%) and 12 (5.71%) respectively indicated LL and VL of practice. The results also showed that the absorbent most used was a disposable sanitary pad. The most common frequency of change of absorbent was twice a day. Ten (10) students representing 7.14% very often used reusable cloth/towel, 4(2.86%) very often used tampon, 78 representing 55.71% very often used disposable sanitary pad, 0(0.00%) very often used menstrual cup, while 8 representing 5.71% very often used toilet paper/tissue. The most frequently adopted rate of changing absorbents by students was twice a day (morning and night). The results showed that 68 (48.57%) of the students very often (VOF) changed their absorbents twice a day, while 16 (11.43%) rarely changed their absorbent twice a day. The findings of this study indicated that the menstrual hygiene management practices among the students were very poor. Adequate health promotion for secondary school girls and provision of basic toilet facilities at these schools was recommended. Keywords: Menstruation, Hygiene, Hand-washing, Absorbents, Sanitation.