Knowledge on Menstruation and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among School Adolescent Girls in Central Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Menstruation is a natural event that is a physiological and psychological milestone in women's reproductive life. But Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) continues to be a monthly challenge for adolescent girls in low-income countries, including Ethiopia harming their school attendance, health, and daily life. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the practice of MHM and associated factors in central Ethiopia.

Methods: School-based cross-sectional study was employed among preparatory and high schools in Holeta Town from May 01 to 20, 2019. A systematic random sampling method was used to select study subjects. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to identify associated factors.

Results: From a total of 403 respondents, 72.5% of school adolescents had good overall knowledge about menstruation and only 34.7% had adequate MHM practice. The study identified adolescents from urban residence (AOR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.53-4.48), got information about menstruation from mothers (AOR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.18-3.96) and teachers (AOR=5.09, 95% CI: 2.67-9.67), school toilets with inside lock (AOR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.67-4.76), not missing school during menstruation (AOR=4.2, 95% CI: 1.55-11.41), experienced menstrual-related problems (AOR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.49-4.64), experienced any whitish or gray discharge per-vagina (AOR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.66-4.85) and having good overall knowledge about menstruation (AOR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.07-3.52) were significantly associated with adequate MHM practice.

Conclusion: The study revealed three-fourth of adolescents had good overall knowledge and two-third of them had inadequate MHM practice. Rural residence, source of information on menstruation, school toilets with inside lock, experiencing menstrual-related problems, and overall knowledge were associated with adequate MHM practice. Therefore, working on enhancing the awareness of adolescent girls on menstruation and MHM practice and making school environments conducive to safe MHM practice were recommended.

Keywords: Ethiopia; adolescent girls; knowledge; menstrual hygiene management.