Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among Adama high school girls towards menstrual hygiene and associated factors in Adama town, East Shoa zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The issue of menstrual hygiene did not get proper attention.
Utilization of sanitary napkins and washing genitalia are good practice of
menstrual hygiene. Inappropriate management of menstrual hygiene can
influence the health of the girls and expose for reproductive tract infection.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, practice of menstrual hygiene
and associated factors among Adama high school girls in Adama town.
Method: A cross sectional study design was conducted by using multi stage
random sampling technique for 604 females. Data was collected by trained
data collectors from February 10 to 30, 2017 using pre-tested structured
questionnaires and entered into Epi-info 7 and then exported to SPSS 21.0
for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was
done at p-value <0.05.

Results: Of total respondents, 59.8% had knowledge, 48.3% had good
practice and 62.8% had favorable attitude for menstrual hygiene management. Having information before menarche (AOR =3.04, 95%CI (1.66, 5.59)) and being housewives in occupation (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI (1.16,
5.42)) were factors associated with knowledge. Earning pocket money
(AOR=2.6, 95%CI (1.67, 3.91)) was associated with menstrual hygiene
management.

Conclusion: The study revealed low level of knowledge, poor practice
and unfavorable attitude of girls towards menstrual hygiene management.
Maternal occupation, not earning money and not having information
before attaining menarche were variables related to poor menstrual
hygiene management and thus providing information and helping
financially for female girls for menstrual hygiene management was highly
recommended.