Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October-December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 415-422
Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices among Undergraduates of Imo State, Nigeria
Igwe, C.N.1, Amadi, A.N.2, Onwuzulike, N.M.3, Ozims, S.J.1, Amadi, C.O.A.2, Achigbu, K.I.4, Azuamah, Y.C.5, Okereke, E.E.6
1Department of Public Health, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria
2Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
3Department of Health Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Nigeria
4Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Nigeria
5Department of Optometry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
6Department of Environmental Health Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Igwe, C.N.
ABSTRACT
Ensuring proper hygiene during menses is very crucial to the dignity of girls and women. This study was carried out to investigate the menstrual hygiene management practices among undergraduate female students in tertiary institutions of Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. This study was a cross-sectional study of tertiary institutions located in Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. Six hundred and seventy female undergraduates between 16 and 28 years from six tertiary institutions were interviewed using a well-structured questionnaire. Results showed that on absorbents use among University students, 20 representing 5.71% very often used reusable cloth/towel, 12(3.43%) very often used tampon, 264 representing 75.43% very often used disposable sanitary pad, 0(0.00%) very often used menstrual cup, while 20 representing 5.71% very often used toilet paper/tissue. Among Polytechnics/Monotechnic students, absorbent mostly used by female students was disposable sanitary pad, the most common frequency of change of absorbent was twice a day. The results on the rate of use of absorbents was 10 representing 7.14% very often used reusable cloth/towel, 4(2.86%) very often used tampon, 78 representing 55.71% very often used disposable sanitary pad, 0(0.00%) very often used menstrual cup, while 8 representing 5.71% very often used toilet paper/tissue. On the rate of using absorbents among Colleges of education students, 14 representing 7.78% very often used reusable cloth/towel, 19(10.56%) very often use tampon, 112 representing 62.22% very often used disposable sanitary pad, 0(0.00%) very often used menstrual cup, while 8 representing 4.44% very often used toilet paper/tissue. While there was a poor level of menstrual hygiene management practices among the students, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the menstrual hygiene management practices among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State. Proper menstrual hygiene education was recommended for all young girls in tertiary institutions.
Keywords: Menstrual hygiene, Absorbents, Sanitary pads, Toilet paper, Students.