Management of menstrual hygiene in adolescent girls aged 10-19 years: A cross-sectional study at Karonga girls and multi-career secondary school, Malawi

Around 52% of the global female population is of reproductive age. Yet, the majority of them lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management, leading to infections and health risks in public places. In Malawi, about 9.9 million individuals lack basic sanitation facilities, leading to high infection rates and deaths annually. This study examined the management of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10–19 attending Karonga Girls' and Multi-Career Secondary Schools in Karonga District, Malawi. This study used a cross-sectional method. Of 95 participants, 84 (88.4%) correctly described menstruation as the natural monthly shedding of blood. However, 8 participants (8.4%) considered menstruation to be a disease, while 3 participants (3.2%) perceived it as a curse. Mothers were the most commonly reported source of information about menstruation, cited by 43 participants (45.3%), followed by teachers, cited by 32 participants (33.7%). Friends were reported as a source of information by 19 participants (20.0%), while only 1 participant (1%) reported the media as the source. Regarding menstrual waste disposal practices, 57 participants (60.0%) reported disposing of used sanitary pads in toilets, whereas 36 participants (37.9%) used pad disposal bins. When asked whether cultural practices affected their education, 59 participants (62.1%) answered yes, 31 participants (32.6%) answered no, and 5 participants (5.3%) did not respond. The chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between class level and whether menstruation affected participants’ usual activities (P=0.040). These findings highlight the need for concise, school-based, culturally sensitive menstrual health education, improved disposal facilities, and greater family and media involvement to promote better menstrual hygiene management and support girls’ school participation.