DETERMINANTS OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN BASIC SCHOOLS IN THE WEST GONJA MUNICIPALITY OF THE SAVANNAH REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Menstruation plays a crucial role in the reproductive lives of all women. This presents as one of the marked changes that appears with puberty. The advent of menses in most settings is accompanied by physical and psychological health, religious, social and cultural implications. The aim of the study was to assess determinants of menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in Basic Schools in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region of Ghana. The study employed analytical cross-sectional design and a mixed method approach. A total of 430 female students were randomly sampled. Data was analyzed using Stata version 14 and thematic content analysis (TCA). The study revealed that about 65% of the girls had sufficient knowledge on menstrual hygiene. Almost all girls (97%) used some form of absorbent materials during menses, with 56% using sanitary pad, while 28.8% used cloth. The majority of the respondents (60.7%) used soap and water for cleaning used material with majority (53.5%) drying their washed absorbents the sun. Overall, 84.9% practiced good menstrual hygiene management. Majority (68.2%) of the schools did not have supportive hygiene infrastructure for the practice of menstrual hygiene management. Category of school, pocket money and residence were the most significant determinants of menstrual hygiene management practice. A major drawback to good menstrual hygiene practices in the West Gonja Municipality is the inadequate Menstrual Hygiene Management/Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities in basic schools. The Ministry for Sanitation and Water Resources should fit in menstrual hygiene and its management into the National Sanitation and Hygiene Strategy.