ABSTRACT
Introduction:- Adolescence in girls has been recognized as a special period in life cycle. This period is marked with onset of menarche. It is linked with several perceptions and practices, which sometimes results in adverse health outcomes. So, this study was carried out to assess knowlwdge, attitudes and practices of menstruation in adolescent girls, to find out its related problems and socio-cultural beliefs.
Objective:-To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of menstrual hygiene management and associated factors among high school girl students in Bensa district, SNNPR, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from January 1, 2019 to May 30, 2019 in five schools of Bensa District using multi stage sampling method with 485 sample size. Participants were adolescent girls of grade 9 to 10 students. Girls were asked to fill a pre formed, pre tested semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe factors influencing menstrual hygiene management. Results were expressed as percentages and presented using tables, frequency distributions and charts. All variables were found significant at bivariate level (P value<0.25) and was entered into multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to control for confounding factors. AOR was considered at 95% CI, 0.05 level of significance.
Result: This study had 98.6% response rate. Three hundred nine (67.9%) and 366(75.5%) respondents had good knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene respectively. The findings also showed a significant positive association between good knowledge of menstrual hygiene management and girls from mother’s has formal education (AOR = 4.710, 95 % CI = 2.166-10.238). Family income (AOR = 4.338, 95 % CI = 1.982-9.492) revealed significant positive association with good practice of menstrual hygiene. Majority 389 (80.2%) of the respondents had a positive attitude towards MHM issues.
Conclusion and recommendation:- Knowledge and overall practice of menstrual hygiene significantly associated with educational status of the mother, father’s educational status, level of grade and family income. Knowledge was better than practice, girls should be educated about the process, use of proper pads or absorbents and its proper disposal.
Therefore, students need to be counseled on menstrual hygiene management. Further, gender inclusive water and toilet facility should be offered in the schools.
Keywords:- Adolescent, knowledge, attitude, Menstruation, Menarche, Sanitary pads.
p to 350 words. No references allowed. Abstracts may be submitted at a later date.