KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES RELATING TO MENSTRUATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Menstruation, signals the onset of reproductive maturity. The experience could lead to poor personal hygiene and absenteeism from school among In-School Adolescents (ISA) if they are not provided with education on the associated coping strategies. However, the knowledge, perception and menstruation-related hygiene practices among ISA are yet to be fully explored. This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, perception and menstrual hygiene practices among ISA in Public Secondary Schools (PSS) in lbadan North Local Government Area (IBNLiGA). The study was a cross-sectional survey involving a three stage sampling technique in selecting 423 consenting females from live PSS in IBNLGA with combined Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) streams, classes and arms. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire which included a 31-point knowledge scale on menstruation and menstrual hygiene, a 7-point perception scale and questions on menstruation-related hygiene practices, was used for data collection. Knowledge scores ≤16. >16-24 and >24-point were classified as poor, fair and good respectively. Perception scores of 0-3 and >3 points were categorised as unfavourable (perception not in line with Scientific View-SV) and favourable (perception in line with SV), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and f-test at α₀.₀₅. Respondents' age was 14±5 1.6 years and 67.0% were in SSS. Most (90.3%) respondents had started experiencing menstruation and their age at menarche was 12.7±1.6 years. Mothers (71.4%) constituted respondents' major source of information on menstruation. Knowledge score of menstruation and menstrual hygiene was 20.0±3.6. Majority of respondents (70.2%) had fair knowledge while those with good and poor knowledge were 18.8% and 11.0%, respectively. Only 43.7% were knowledgeable about the period when ovulation occurs. Perception score was 5.2±1.5. Respondents with favourable and unfavourable perceptions were 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Majority (70.7%) perceived menstruation as an embarrassing event. Only 23.2% was of the perception that menstruating females should not stay away from school. Few (21.5%) respondents were of the perception that menstruating females should not attend social functions. Mothers (62.6%) constituted the commonest source of supply of materials used for practicing menstrual hygiene. Menstrual Hygiene-related Materials (MHMs) included sanitary pads (86.5%); tissue paper (21.5%); piece of cloth (15.6%) and cotton wool 3.3%). Methods of managing used MHM included disposal into refuse bins (39.0%), burning (29.7%), and disposal into water closet (16.1%). Perceived menstrual challenges experienced while in school included lack of privacy (42.1%), appropriate disposal facilities (41.8%) and water supply (21.0%). Knowledge score obtained by respondents in SSS was 21.9±3.9 and this was significantly higher than JSS students' score of 20.5±3.5. Perception score among SSS respondents was 5.4±1.4 which was significantly higher than the 4.9±11.7 score among JSS respondents. Knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene was inadequate in the study area. Risky menstrual hygiene practices and inappropriate menstruation-related perceptions existed among studied adolescents. Training, social support and provision of enabling environment in the school settings are needed to address these concerns.