TITLE:
Challenges Associated with Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls Attending Bocharia Primary School in Nyamira County, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Martha Bosibori Manyara, Okubatsion Tekeste Okube
KEYWORDS:
Kenya, Menstrual Hygiene, Menstrual Hygiene Practices
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.9,
September
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Approximately, half a million of adolescent girls in the world feel frustrated
during their monthly period due to poor menstrual hygiene practices. In the low-and-middle
income countries, about three-quarters of girls do not have access to clean sanitary
materials, and use low-quality products. In the Sub-Saharan African countries, menstruation
among school-age girls is a neglected issue. Poor menstrual hygiene practices expose adolescent
girls to reproductive organ infections, psychosocial stress, and poor school attendance. However, the available data concerning
challenges associated with menstrual hygiene among school girls in the remote
areas of Kenya remains unknown. Aim: To assess challenges associated with
menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls attending Bocharia Primary School in Nyamira
County, Kenya. Methods: The target population was grade 4 to 8 adolescent
girls (n = 111) aged 10 - 19 years. Hence, census method of sampling was used to include all the girls
in grade 4 - 8. Raw data was obtained using a Semi-structured questionnaire which was tested
by a representation of 11 girls (10% of the sample size) who had the same characteristics.
Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 with both descriptive and inferential statistics.
In descriptive statistics, frequency and percentage were generated. The chi-square
test of independence was used to determine associations between some socio-demographic
variables of the girls and menstrual hygiene practice. A p-value of less than 0.05
was considered to be significant. Results: The study found that majority
(57%) of the respondents had poor menstrual hygiene practices associated with lack
of accessibility and affordability to sanitary products, functional and safe latrines,
shortage of soap and water supply, and sanitation facilities. Approximately half
(47.8%) of the respondents reported that menstrual hygiene practices are highly
influenced by taboo from cultural beliefs and societal norms. Girls who live with
both parents were more likely (73.3%) to wash their body with water and soap during
monthly bleeding as compared to those girls from single mother (64.7%) and those
who live or grand Mothers (42.9%). The toilets or latrines that were allocated to
the girls were unlockable, which threatens privacy and safety of the girls. Conclusions: Most of the school girls had poor menstrual hygiene practices associated
with lack of sanitary products, safe and functional latrines, adequate water supply,
soaps and sanitation facilities. Adequate attention to menstrual hygiene management
should be given by the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program, education
sectors, and sexual and reproductive health programs.