A study to assess menstrual hygiene and its impact on school
attendance among adolescent school girls was conducted in selected combined
schools in Rundu. The aim of the study was to assess menstrual hygiene and the
impact of menstruation on school attendance among adolescent school girls in
Rundu. A cross sectional study was conducted with 138 study participants. A
self-administered questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to
collect data. Questionnaires were analysed with descriptive statistics such as
proportions, mean and standard deviation, and presented in tables and charts.
Chi-square test was used to demonstrate bi-variate associations, while FGDs
were analysed thematically. It was found that girls use a wide variety of
materials during menstruation ranging from pads, tampons, toilet paper, cottons
and pieces of cloth. There were lapses in knowledge and misconceptions
regarding menstruation. There was reasonable knowledge regarding menstrual
hygiene and most girls (76%) used sanitary pads in their last period. Almost
half of the girls (49%) however found sanitary pads unaffordable and 33% did
not use sanitary pads for their last period. Some problems encountered when
menstruating on school days, included unavailability of soap and water in the
toilets (44%), lack of privacy in the toilets (25%), dirty or non-functional
toilets (24%). Some girls missed classes or did not concentrate in class due to
lack of sanitary materials (41%), pain and discomfort (14%) and this affected
their performance. The study shows that ensuring access to appropriate sanitary
materials improves school attendance, academic performance and the girls’
potential success in life. Providing information to girls on menstrual hygiene
is necessary to empower and prepare girls for menstruation and a healthy
reproductive future, while preventing RTIs and circumventing challenges that
could compromise their academic pursuits. Education authorities should consider
providing sanitary pads to girls in school to ensure universal access.
Stakeholder involvement is necessary due to the multi-dimensional nature of
menstrual hygiene management.
Author(s) Details:
Kandjimi Ester S.,
Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Preventative Health
Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.
Aku-Akai
Larai W.,
Environmental
Health Sciences, Department of Preventative Health Sciences, Namibia University
of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia.
Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RUDHR-V2/article/view/13500
