Menstrual hygiene management practices among secondary school girls in Ifakara Town, Kilombero District, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: In developing countries many adolescent girls lack appropriate information, materials and access to the right sanitary facilities to manage menstruation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess menstrual hygiene management practices among secondary school girls in Ifakara Town, Kilombero District, Tanzania. Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021 among secondary school girls Ifakara Town, Kilombero District, Tanzania. A total of 138 girls were selected randomly and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results: Overall, 67.4% of the girls had good knowledge on menstrual hygiene management practices. Out of these, 94.2% used commercial disposable sanitary pads as absorbents, 92.7% Changed pads more than three times a day during menstruation, 96.4% Cleaned external genitalia with soap and water during menstruation. Conclusion: In this study, the practice of menstrual hygiene management of secondary school girls was good. This highlights the need of education on menstrual hygiene management to all secondary school girls country wide.