Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent secondary school girls in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Menstrual hygiene is an aspect of sexuality education that people do not want to discuss publicly. Because of this most adolescent girl are bereaved of knowledge about menstrual hygiene practices. Therefore, the present study attempted to ascertain the knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent secondary school girls in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.Methods: This was an institutional based cross-sectional study conducted from 11th July to 9th September 2021 among adolescent secondary school girls in Ikwo local government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 400 participant using administered questionnaire. However, out of 400 participants, 315 properly filled and fit for analysis.Result: From a total of 315 adolescent girls participated in this study, majority 251 (79.7%) of the girls possess good knowledge while 64 (20.3%) has poor knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices. The result further indicated a significant association between the age groups (Chi square=10.862; p=0.004 <0.05); class level (Chi square=23.601; p=0.000<0.05) and the knowledge of menstrual hygiene practices among the adolescents’ girls respectively.Conclusions: There is need for government at all level, health educators and parents to design acceptable awareness creation and advocacy programs to improve the knowledge especially among adolescent girls at their early adolescents and those at lower class and so as to promote safe hygienic practices during menstruation.

Menstruation among In-School Adolescent Girls and Its Literacy and Practices in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

“…Obande-Ogbuinya et al, 2022 [23] Secondary school girls in Ikwo local government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria…”

“…Other authors also discovered the invaluable role played by school teachers to further educate girls about the basics of menstrual health [21]. It was revealed that 264 respondents were aware that genital tracts should be washed and had good knowledge of menstrual hygiene [23]. Some 59.7% of respondents did not know the causes of menses, channels through which menses flow, and intervals between menses.…”

“…In the Nigerian context, it is commonly observed that adolescents frequently react to menstruation as an indication of illness. Adolescent girls tend to view menstruation as a source of embarrassment that should be concealed [23].…”