Knowledge of menstrual hygiene among the in-school adolescent girls in Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Menstrual hygiene is highly vital to women; however, adolescent girls who may not have had prior information before menarche, or who have not been educated always face a difficult situation. This study examined the knowledge of menstrual hygiene among the in-school adolescent girls in Oji River LGA. The data was obtained using a questionnaire survey. The statistical techniques employed to analyze the data was descriptive statistics, such as simple percentages and frequency tables. Evidently, the study shows that a good number of students have knowledge of menstrual hygiene in the study area. In addition, the study reveals that mothers play a good role in educating their girls about menstrual hygiene. Based on the findings, the study recommends that: girls should be educated about menstrual hygiene prior to their puberty, however, this should continue throughout their adolescent years; mothers of adolescent girls should be an integral part of all programs on menstrual hygiene; more sensitization programs on menstrual hygiene are needed by the government and non-governmental organizations, among others.