A CROSS-SECTION STUDY OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF FEMALE STUDENTS TOWARDS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AT KAMPALA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, BULOBA CAMPUS, WAKISO DISTRICT.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i4.21Keywords:
Menstrual hygiene, practices, Attitude, Female students, Kampala School of Health SciencesAbstract
Background.
In most African communities, menstruation is associated with several taboos and myths, which makes it hard for adolescent school-going girls to properly maintain a hygienic body and also continue in school. This study determined the attitude and practices towards menstrual hygiene among female students at Kampala School of Health Sciences, Buloba campus, Wakiso district.
Methodology.
A cross-sectional study design was used in this study of 50 respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used to select samples. A semi-structured questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions was designed to collect data. The data collected was analyzed manually using tally sheets and data systematically computed into frequency and percentage and presented in tables, bar graphs and pie-charts.
Results.
(50%) of the respondents were Anglicans, (36%) of the respondents were Baganda by tribe, (50%) of the respondents reported that they got scared after having their first menses, (72%) reported that they never attended classes during their menses, (64%) reported that they attend social activities during their menses and (44%) reported that they feel ashamed when discussing menstrual hygiene management. (80%) of the respondents reported that they preferred sung disposable sanitary pads during menstruation, (90%) of the respondents reported that they changed their absorbent material twice a day, (78%) of the respondents reported that they bathe twice a day,(76%) reported that they use water only to clean their genitalia during menstruation, (60%) reported that they dispose of their used pads in the toilets.
Conclusion.
The overall attitude was still challenging, however, their practices were generally good.
Recommendations.
Kampala School of Health Sciences, under the Ministry of Health and Women's Affairs, should impact reproductive health education through training or workshops on menstrual hygiene.
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