Knowledge, Attitude and Menstrual Hygiene Practices of Female Senior Secondary School Student in Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State

Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a critical component of adolescent health and wellbeing, particularly in rural African educational contexts where cultural, economic, and infrastructural barriers are prevalent. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among female senior secondary school students in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as well as the factors influencing these outcomes. Method: The descriptive study design was selected. The target population comprised senior secondary school students from three purposefully selected schools in the Izzi Local Government Area. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 385 participants. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Result: The findings indicated that the majority of respondents were aged 13 to 17 years (281 respondents, 77.0%), primarily enrolled in classes SS1 to SS3 (326 respondents, 89.3%), and predominantly identified as Christians (343 respondents, 94.0%). The level of knowledge was predominantly high, with 342 participants (93.7%) demonstrating good understanding. Of the participants, 170 (75.3 percent) exhibited positive attitudes, while 162 (44.4 percent) demonstrated poor menstrual hygiene practices. The age, class level, parental occupation, source of menstrual information, and accessibility to school sanitation facilities significantly influenced knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Older students in higher classes, those with employed parents, those with access to menstrual health information, and those with adequate school facilities demonstrated a greater likelihood of maintaining good menstrual hygiene practices and exhibiting positive attitudes. Conclusion: The findings indicate that while a majority of teenage girls possess sufficient knowledge, exhibit positive attitudes, and maintain satisfactory menstrual hygiene practices, structural and sociocultural factors significantly influence the application of this knowledge in practice. Regular health education provided by teachers and school health officers, along with improved sanitation facilities in schools, is recommended to enhance menstrual hygiene practices and promote adolescent reproductive health.