Knowledge and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene Management: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study among Adolescent Girls in North Gonja District in the Savannah Region of Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to assess the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region of Ghana. Methodology: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The study population was adolescent girls who have reached menarche. A total of 217 respondents were recruited using consecutive sampling. A validated questionnaire was used to gather data and analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software. The significance level was estimated as a p-value less the .05. Findings: The study showed that the majority of the respondents (59.0%) were within 15 to 19 years, 90.8% were in school, 77.9% were Muslims and nearly half (49.8%) of the girls were living with both parents. Almost all of the respondents (97.7%) have heard about menstruation through their mothers (30.4%) followed by the teachers/school (18.9%) with media (4.1%) being the least source of information. Most respondents (78.8%) had good knowledge about menstruation and MHM. The majority of the girls (64.5%) used sanitary pads, 30.9% used clothes and 4.6% used other absorbent materials during menstrual flow. Nearly all girls (98.2%) clean their genitals during menses with the majority (65.4%) using soap and water to clean their genitals whereas (32.7%) used only water. Overall, 71.0% of the respondents had adequate MHM practices. The study revealed a significant statistical association between MHM practices and age (X2 = 34.1, p < .001), earning a living (X2 = 11.9, p = .021), and knowledge about menstruation (X2 = 11.8, p = .002). Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: In all, appreciable knowledge and sufficient MHM practices were observed among respondents. Age, ability to earn a living, and knowledge about menstruation and MHM were associated with the practice of good MHM practices. We recommend that parents should be sensitized and encouraged to provide for the sanitary needs of their girl child as well as introduce the topic of menstruation to the girls in readiness for menarche.