Factors Affecting Menstrual Hygiene Management Practice Among School Adolescents in Ambo, Western Ethiopia, 2018: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Background

Menstruation is still regarded as something unclean in many parts of Ethiopia. Despite the challenges related to menstrual hygiene management, it has been routinely overlooked in the school setting. The existing evidence on menstrual hygiene management lacks objective measurement approaches. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess factors affecting menstrual hygiene management practice among school adolescents in Ambo, Western Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional-based mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 March 2018 with 364 high school females. A systematic random sampling and purposive sampling technique were used to select study participants. We used a self-administered questionnaire, observational checklists, and focus group discussion. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and thematic analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were done. With 95% CI, P< 0.05 was considered the level of significance.

Results

The prevalence of unsafe menstrual hygiene management practice was 53.6%, and it was affected by factors including age of the females [AOR: 0.16 (0.045, 0.57), P=0.005], frequency of discussing menses [AOR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.71, P-value = 0.006], and source of information about menses [AOR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.75, 8.00) P= 0.001]. Lack of information about how to manage menses safely and lack of sufficient WASH facility were also identified.

Conclusion

High prevalence of unsafe menstrual hygiene management in the study area implies that urgent measures are needed from the concerned body. The school environments were not female friendly for managing their menses safely highlighting that the water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the schools need urgent solutions.

Keywords:

• menstrual hygiene management
• school females
• Ambo
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Ambo University for covering the data collectors and supervisors per diem. Our thanks also go to our study participants, and data collectors for their collaboration. We would like to thank Professor Roger Watson for his unreserved support in language editing.

Abbreviations

AOR, Adjusted odd ration; CI, confidence interval; FGD, focus group discussion; MHM, menstrual hygiene management; SD, standard deviation; WASH, water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

Ambo University has covered the costs of data collectors and supervisors per diem. The funded organization has no role in designing the study, data collection, or manuscript preparation.