Practices of Menstrual Sanitary Care among Post Primary School Girls in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adolescents at this tender age often may lack knowledge regarding standard menstrual care required to be free from the risk of genital tract infections. The study aimed to assess the menstrual sanitary care practices among adolescent girls in Nigeria to determine the unmet need.

Methods: The study was a cross?sectional survey conducted among adolescent girls in four secondary schools at Port Harcourt, from 1st March to 31^st August, 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from Rivers State Management School Board and State Ministry of Health.

Consent was obtained from all the participants. Data obtained were recorded on questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 18 Statistical Software and descriptive statistics was used for the analysis.

Results: During the study period (from March to August, 2018), 648 adolescent secondary school girls participated in the survey. The mean age ± SD at menarche was 12.8 ± 1.31., and the mean age of the respondents was 16.1 ± 1.34 years. Sanitary pads were the most used menstrual absorbent among the adolescents 455 (70%). Other menstrual absorbent used by the adolescents were Tissue paper, cotton wool and pieces of clothes (30%). Majority washed genital area twice daily with soap and water 474 (73%) and changed used sanitary absorbents twice daily. In disposing used sanitary material, 390 (60%) wrapped it and put in the dust bins.

Conclusion: There was good menstrual sanitary care among the adolescent school girls. Sanitary pads were the most used menstrual absorbent.