Enhancing the educational environment for optimal menstrual hygiene management in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is crucial for the health and well-being of adolescent girls, especially in educational settings. However, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools pose a significant challenge for girls in low- and middle-income countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study evaluated WASH infrastructure in 38 secondary schools in Kisangani, DRC, from September 2023 to February 2024, using a structured observation grid and descriptive analysis. This study revealed that only 8.1% of schools met the criteria for providing a supportive environment for MHM. While 94.6% of schools had gender-segregated toilets, only 40.5% had toilets with doors and functional locks, 48.6% had running water in their toilets, 40.5% had trash bins, and 35.1% were equipped with hand-washing stations and washing basins. Only 15.8% provided access to sanitary pads for girls who needed them. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve WASH infrastructure and ensure access to sanitary pads in schools. In the context of the DRC, achieving these improvements will require strengthening both governmental and citizen-driven regulation of school infrastructure, as well as raising awareness among school administrators about the importance of WASH issues, particularly those related to MHM.