Menstrual hygiene management practices and menstrual distress among adolescent secondary school girls: a questionnaire-based study in Nigeria

Determination of menstrual symptoms and genital hygiene behaviors of female healthcare professionals after the earthquake in Türkiye

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the post-earthquake menstrual symptoms, genital hygiene behaviors and the relationship between them among female healthcare workers who experienced the devastating earthquake in February 2023.

METHODS

The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consists of female healthcare professionals working in a public hospital in Iskenderun. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between June 7 and September 7, 2023. Sociodemographic Form, Menstrual Symptom Scale, and Genital Hygiene Scale were used as data collection tools.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 34.07 ± 8.08. Before the earthquake, 81.5% had regular menses, while in 58.6% of them the pattern of menses changed after the earthquake. It was found that there was a negative and weakly significant relationship between the total mean scores of "Menstrual Symptom Scale" and "Genital Hygiene Scale" (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between "age," "perceived income level," "marital status," and "experiencing women's health problems after the earthquake" with menstrual symptoms. Additionally, significant differences were observed between "changes in menstrual regulation after the earthquake," "the major earthquake's impact on the availability of hygienic products," and genital hygiene behaviors (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that the menstrual symptoms experienced by health workers after the earthquake were above moderate severity and their genital hygiene behaviors were less positive. Furthermore, genital hygiene behaviors were more negatively affected as the severity of menstrual symptoms increased.

Knowledge and practice toward menstrual hygiene management and associated factors among visual impaired adolescent girls: a case of two selected institutions in Rwanda

Background

Menstruation is a universal and normal phenomenon during the reproductive age of females; adolescence is an essential period where females are preparing and adjusting themselves to manage their menstrual bleeding safely and cleanly. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an issue that is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention among visually impaired adolescent girls (VIAGs).

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of MHM and associated factors among VIAGs of selected institutions in Rwanda.

Design

This study consisted of a cross-sectional study design using a quantitative approach.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2021 on 92 VIAGs. They were recruited from educational institutions in two Provinces in Rwanda. Voluntary participation and confidentiality were assured. Socioeconomic and demographic data, menstruation, and menstrual hygiene questionnaires were used to obtain the required information. Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 25 was used. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regressions were used for data analysis.

Results

The study reached 92 respondents. The majority of the respondents, 67.4% had a poor level of menstruation and menstrual hygiene knowledge while only 32.6% had a good level of menstruation and menstrual hygiene knowledge. Also, it is confirmed that the majority of respondents, 52.1% had a good level of practice, while 47.8% had a poor level of menstrual hygiene practice. The multivariable analysis revealed that factors associated with the menstrual hygiene practice were as follows: the mother's education (odds ratio (OR): 5.979; 95% CI: [1.700-21.032]; p value: 0.005) and level of knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene (OR: 0.132; 95% CI: [0.028-0.622]; p value: 0.010).

Conclusion

The knowledge and practice of MHM among VIAGs were poor. Recommendations included the need for mothers to assist their daughters in improving learning and practice of menstrual hygiene, as well as the integration of MHM into school curricula. Further research is suggested to better understand MHM among Rwandan adolescent girls, both visually impaired and non-blind.

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

Background and Objectives: Menstruation is a natural occurrence marked by the periodic release of endometrial cells within the uterine lining from the female genital area. Menstruation knowledge remains highly essential for young adolescents. Inadequate awareness and understanding of menstruation have far-reaching consequences on the overall wellbeing and health outcomes of young adults worldwide. Adolescent girls make up a large percentage of high school students in Nigeria. Girls in countries with low to middle incomes are frequently misled or uneducated regarding menstruation. Menstrual health literacy (MHL) is the level of knowledge concerning matters related to menstrual health. It is observed that a lack of menstrual health literacy is seen among young adults. This systematic review aimed to examine menstruation literacy, attitudes, and adolescent girls' practices in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This systematic review included quantitative, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, and qualitative primary research studies relating to menstruation literacy, attitudes, and practices of adolescents in Nigeria. Articles for this study were searched for on databases such as PubMed and BioMed Central using keywords. These studies were subjected to stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria where the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used, and 13 articles were included after critical appraisal. Data extracted were analysed using narrative synthesis. Results: Findings indicated that knowledge regarding menstruation among adolescents (82.6%) was poor. Menstruation information was obtained from mothers, which was positive as some adolescents reported their closeness to their mothers. Regarding attitudes towards menstruation among adolescents, it was reported that more respondents (70.3%) had negative attitudes towards menstruation. Conclusions: Most of the respondents in Nigeria were not adequately prepared for the onset of their first menstrual period. Knowledge and attitude levels were low regarding periods for adolescents. The only exception was their positive attitude towards using water and soap to wash their hands during menstruation. The review shows a significant gap between adolescents' menstruation knowledge and actual hygienic methods during menstruation. It is therefore required for educational awareness programmes and campaigns to be put in place to educate adolescents about menstruation.

Editorial

NIL.