Factors Associated with Menstrual Hygiene amongst in-School Adolescents in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Menstrual hygiene contributes significantly to optimal reproductive health. The knowledge and practice of proper menstrual hygiene among young girls in our setting has been reportedly suboptimal. This study therefore aims to identify the factors associated with menstrual hygiene among in-school adolescents in Atimbo, Calabar, Cross River State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among students in 11 selected schools in Atimbo, Calabar, Cross River State. Multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 280 in-school adolescent girls into the study after determining the sample size. Data was obtained using a semi-structured, self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire to collect relevant information on menstrual hygiene. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Chi-square test was used to test associations between categorical variables and the level of significance was set at <5%. Knowledge, perception and practice were assessed with a score of ≥75% assigned to good knowledge, perception and practice. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Calabar, Health Ethics Research Committee. Results: The overall mean age of respondents in this study was 14.0±1.66 years. Amongst the 280 in-school adolescent girls recruited into the study, more 213 (76.1%) had good knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene and 217 (77.5%) had practiced optimal menstrual hygiene. The findings of this study revealed a significant association between age group and knowledge of menstruation and menstrual hygiene, where respondents below 13 years 28 (54.9%) had poorer knowledge compared to respondents in older age groups (p< 0.001). A higher proportion of junior secondary 41(56.2%) and boarding students 18(62.1%) had poorer perception of menstrual hygiene compared to their senior (79, 38.2%) and day students 102 (40.6%) (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Although a high level of knowledge was recorded among in-school adolescents, the authors strongly recommend interventions targeted at improving menstrual hygiene knowledge in younger female adolescents. This effort is crucial to providing a solid foundation for their physical and mental wellbeing and ability to cope with the heavy demands of reproductive health later in life.