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.