UNDERSTANDING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE HABITS OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN NNEWI, NIGERIA

BACKGROUND: Menstrual hygiene management involves using clean materials to absorb menstrual blood during menstruation. Proper management is crucial to reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections, particularly in women and girls who are more vulnerable during their menstrual periods. This study aims to explore the attitudes and practices related to menstrual hygiene among high school girls in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 320 female high school students in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS V.22. Statistical associations between variables were tested using Chi-square at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The study included 320 respondents, with 65.6% aged between 14-17 years. A significant 91.3% had heard about menstruation before menarche. The primary sources of information on menstrual hygiene were mothers (63.4%), schools (27.1%), friends/peers (7.5%), and media sources (1.4%). Notably, 88.8% of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge of menstrual hygiene, and 92.5% practiced good menstrual hygiene. There were statistically significant associations between the level of knowledge and the practice of menstrual hygiene (p < 0.01). Additionally, age and year of study were significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practices (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that mothers are the predominant source of menstrual hygiene information, reflecting the strong influence of familial attitudes on menstrual practices. The high levels of knowledge and good practices observed among the girls indicate a positive attitude towards menstrual hygiene. These findings underscore the importance of maternal guidance and school-based education in fostering healthy menstrual hygiene attitudes and practices among adolescents in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria.