FACTORS INFLUENCING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT AMONG ADOLESCENT STUDENTS AT SOROTI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SOROTI DISTRICT, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i4.31Keywords:
Menstrual Hygiene, Adolescent, Soroti Secondary School, Soroti DistrictAbstract
Background
At Soroti Secondary School, about 11% of the girls in 2022 were affected by poor menstrual hygiene as they reported to Eastern Division Health Center III with urinary tract infections. Their number increased to 13.5% in 2023. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing Menstrual Hygiene Management among adolescent students at Soroti Secondary School in Soroti City.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional study was used, adopting the quantitative approach to data collection and analysis. A sample size of 30 adolescent girls was determined using a simple random sampling method, Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, prepared by Microsoft Excel, and presented in the form of tables and figures.
Results
Findings showed that more than half, 63.33%, were aged 16-19 years, 63.33% came from urban settings, 70% had self-employed parents, 63.33% always received menstrual upkeep from their parents, and 73.33% first learned about menstruation from their mothers. The majority, 90% preferred using disposable sanitary pads, 86.67% had a menstrual flow length of 3-4 days, and 93.33% said that the school provided water and soap for MHM. Half (50% of the respondents accessed menstrual care products from the school administration, and 83.33% received menstrual hygiene lessons. However, all said that the school had no toilet and bathroom mirrors, and 63.33% rated the privacy towards MHM as minimal, which probably negatively affected MHM among the students.
Conclusion
Age above 16 years, availability of support from parents and the school administration, positively influenced menstrual hygiene among the participants. However, a shortage of proper facilities and lack of privacy, as well as criticisms from fallacies about menstruation, negatively affected MHM.
Recommendation
Promotion of continuous counseling and guidance by teachers and collaboration with health workers to conduct health talk shows on reproductive health.
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