Menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices among female senior high school students in the new Juaben North municipality of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Nana Nimo Appiah-Agyekum, Mary Adebi Nyamekye, Ivy Akushika Agbenu, Desmond Dzidzornu Otoo

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Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2 citing papers in PubMed.

Non-linear multivariate decomposition modelling of the predictors of menstrual product use among reproductive-aged women: evidence from the 2022 Ghanaian demographic and health survey.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2026
Article
Lived experiences of female second-cycle students with abnormal menstrual cycle in a selected municipality of Ghana: A phenomenological qualitative study.PloS one · 2026
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4 authors.

Nana Nimo Appiah-AgyekumDepartment of Health Service Management, University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Ghana.

Mary Adebi NyamekyeDepartment of Health Service Management, University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Ghana.

Ivy Akushika AgbenuDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, University of Ghana School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Desmond Dzidzornu OtooDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, University of Ghana School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana. ddotoo@st.ug.edu.gh.

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMenstruation is a natural and inevitable process in females. However, adolescent girls continue to face challenges with several misconceptions and myths. Despite numerous efforts and campaigns, limited knowledge and unhygienic practices persist, leading to various adverse social and health outcomes. This study examined knowledge, practices and factors influencing menstrual hygiene management practices among female senior high school students in the New Juaben Municipality of Ghana.

methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 2 senior high schools. Students were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from literature between August to September 2022. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel Software (2020) and then exported to STATA/MP version 17 (STATA Corp) for analysis. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were conducted with p-values ≤ 0.05 considered significant.

resultsA total of 557 students were included in the study. 61.22% of students demonstrated good knowledge of menstruation, and 57.09% practiced good menstrual hygiene. Disposable sanitary pads were the most commonly used (97.44%) and preferred (93.25%) menstrual products. Most students changed their sanitary pads two or three times per day (47.49% and 47.30%, respectively). Nearly all participants (99%) bathed during menstruation, with water only (61.13%) being the most common method for genital cleaning. Logistic regression analysis revealed that students who lived with their mothers only (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.16-3.02, p = 0.01), had access to dedicated disposal bins (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.42-3.39, p < 0.001), and reported adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene needs (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.91, p = 0.017) were more likely to practice good menstrual hygiene.

conclusionGenerally, female students had good MHM knowledge and practices with few misconceptions. The study underscores the importance of enhancing menstrual hygiene education, improving school infrastructure, and supporting family-based health education to promote safe and effective menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls. Targeted interventions involving schools, parents, and policymakers are needed to create a supportive environment that ensures menstrual health and educational continuity for all girls.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHygieneMenstruationStudentsAdolescentCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGhanaHumansMenstrual Hygiene ProductsSchoolsSurveys and QuestionnairesAdolescent wellbeingHealth educationMenstrual hygieneSanitation

Identifiers

PMID40287730

DOI10.1186/s12889-025-22836-8

PMCPMC12032753

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

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