ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT ON THE HEALTH AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE KUMBUNGU DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

As a fast-growing District in Northern Ghana, Kumbungu has had expansion in female school population at the Basic level with persistent menstrual challenges. The phenomenal Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and its accompanying management problems have had a profound effect on girl child education in the District. The study focused on the impact of menstrual hygiene management on the health and school attendance of adolescent girls in junior high Schools in the District. The main objective of this study was to analyze the nature of menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls, the risky practices adolescent girls engaged in when managing menstruation, and the negative impact of poor MHM among adolescent girls in junior high schools in the District. This study used mixed methods design both quantitative and Qualitative with questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussion for data collection. However, Simple Random and Purposive sampling were used to select the schools and the respondents. The study used female Junior High School students in the District with 151 sample size. The study utilized frequencies and percentages; tables and figures were used in the presentation of data and analysis with excel. The study shows that 50% of the respondents were in JHS 2 and 21% their final year with majority of them (75%) between ages 14 -18. About 53% of the respondents revealed that parents were the reliable stakeholders on MHM. Whiles 73% of the respondents said that there were no available WASH materials in their schools. The study revealed the risky practices adolescent girls engaged in while in school during menstruation. The study also revealed financial challenge as one of reasons they absent themselves from school during mensuration coupled with personal and school environment reasons. The study concludes that WHO and UNICEF ideas on MHM could be implemented in schools to minimize the absenteeism or enhance the Girl-Child education in the District.