Knowledge and Practice of Menstrual Hygiene Management: A Cross-sectional Study among Adolescents’ Schoolgirls in the Tamale Metropolis

Introduction: Menstrual health is a critical aspect of adolescent well-being, yet knowledge and practices surrounding menstruation can vary significantly, especially in culturally diverse settings. Despite its undeniable significance, the nuanced landscape of adolescent menstrual hygiene practices remains obscured. The transition from childhood to adolescence is a transformative period marked by physical, emotional, and psychological changes, and understanding the intricacies of menstrual hygiene within this context is imperative. The study assesses menstrual hygiene knowledge and practice among adolescents in the Tamale Metropolis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of schoolgirls in the Northern Region of Ghana. A total of 363 adolescent schoolgirls were recruited using multistage sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. A significance level of p < 0.05 was employed to establish statistical significance.

Results: The study found that 90.9% of respondents recognized menstruation as a natural process, and 82.1% understood hormonal changes cause it. However, only 57.3% knew the typical duration of menstruation. Most girls (87.1%) identified the vagina as the source of menstrual blood, and 85.1% had prior knowledge of menstruation. While 95.6% used absorbent materials, and 87.3% used sanitary pads, some practices, such as improper storage and disposal of used pads, were identified. The study established a significant association between overall knowledge about menstruation and age (X2=7.96, p=0.019), class of respondents (X2=11.03, p=0.036), and ethnicity (X2=15.4, p=0.002). The respondents mentioned the following as religious factors that could affect MHM: 85.7% mentioned prohibition from touching the holy books (Bible or Qur’an), 70.5% mentioned visiting religious places, 19.8% mentioned prohibition on attending religious ceremonies, and 18.2% mentioned others.

Conclusion: Most schoolgirls demonstrated good foundational knowledge and hygiene practices regarding menstruation. However, gaps remain in knowledge about menstrual duration and hygiene practices. Cultural factors and demographic variables also influence menstrual knowledge.