Perception and Attitude Towards the Use of Sanitary Pad Among Secondary School Girls
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The study attempts to determine the perception and attitude towards the use of sanitary paid among secondary school girls; specifically to:
- Determine adolescent girls’ perception on use of sanitary pads during menstruation and also to
- Assess their attitude on use of sanitary pads for menstrual hygiene during menstruation.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The literature review covered reports by different authors within the context of perception and attitude of adolescent secondary girls towards the use of sanitary pads for menstrual hygiene. Reviewed documents were obtained from websites, journals articles, WHO and UNICEF publications. The literature review covered a period of 2011 – 2021 and will be presented in accordance with specific objectives of the study.
Menstruation
This is defined as the discharge of blood, tissue debris and secretions from the uterus which recurs in breeding age females that are not pregnant at approximately monthly intervals. It is considered to represent a readjustment of the uterus to the non-pregnant state following proliferative changes accompanying the preceding ovulation (Abioye–Kuteyi, 201). The average age of menarche is around the globe is12–13, but menarche can typically occur between ages 9 and 15 years (ACOG, 2016). Among non-pregnant women menstruation lasts from puberty to menopause. Regular menstruation occurs for a few days, that is usually 3 to 5 days, although if it lasts fom 2 to 7 days, it is considered normal (Womenshealth, Gov., 2018).
Menstrual hygiene
This handles the special healthcare needs and requirements of females during monthly menstrual periods. The areas of special concern among female during periods include choice of the best period protection material, how often and when to change the sanitary protection, satisfactory cleaning of the vagina and vulva as well as the assumed benefits of vaginal douching at the end of each menstrual period. Provisions for good menstrual hygiene include home-made remedies like pieces of cotton cloth which are either placed on a woman‟s undergarment or on a homemade belt that wraps around the waist. These cloths can be washed, dried and used again. Available commercial products for women‟s hygiene during menstruation include pads, tampons and cups.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls
Poor menstrual hygiene management in schools has been found to cause school age girls humiliation and worries that contributes to monthly school absenteeism leading to poor performance among girls in schools (Patle et al, 2018). UNICEF (2014) stresses the benefits of school sanitation facilities that are built to accommodate the specific needs for privacy, washing facilities, space, cleaning of menstrual pads and correct disposal for menstruating girls. An environment in which these menstrual hygiene needs are observed could lead to improved dignity and attendance, therefore improving education of the girls and consequently the development of a country.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, we would describe how the study was carried out.
Research design
Research design is a detailed outline of how an investigation took place. It entails how data is collected, the data collection tools used and the mode of analyzing data collected (Cooper & Schindler (2006). This study used a descriptive research design. Gill and Johnson (2002) state that a descriptive design looks at particular characteristics of a specific population of subjects, at a particular point in time or at different times for comparative purposes. The choice of a survey design for this study was deemed appropriate as Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) attest that it enables the researcher to determine the nature of prevailing conditions without manipulating the subjects.
Further, the survey method was useful in describing the characteristics of a large population and no other method of observation can provide this general capability. On the other hand, since the time duration to complete the research project was limited, the survey method was a cost effective way to gather information from a large group of people within a short time. The survey design made feasible very large samples and thus making the results statistically significant even when analyzing multiple variables. It allowed for many questions to be asked about a given topic giving considerable flexibility to the analysis. Usually, high reliability is easy to obtain by presenting all subjects with a standardized stimulus; observer subjectivity is greatly eliminated. Cooper and Schindler (2006) assert that the results of a survey can be easily generalized to the entire population.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which 140 were returned. The analysis of this study is based on the number returned.
Demographic distribution
The age range of the pupils was 10 – 20 years, with a mean of 11 years. About 60% where in junior secondary school, while 91.4% were Christians, 30.0% were first daughters of the family and 55.5% have had premenarcheal training, with a majority (72.9%) commencing menarche at 12 years or over.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
In this study, our focus was to carryout a critical analysis on the Perception and Attitude Towards The Use Of Sanitary Pad Among Secondary School Girls. The study specifically was aimed at ascertaining/ attempts to determine the perception and attitude of adolescent pupils on use of sanitary pads during menstruation; specifically to determine adolescent girls’ perception on use of sanitary pads during menstruation and also to assess their attitude on use of sanitary pads for menstrual hygiene during menstruation. This study reviewed and anchored its framework on conversational theory.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 140 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are active students in the Lugbe Secondary Secondary school, AMAC Abuja.
The results show that of the 140 girls studied, 64.3% of the girls used sanitary pads, 62.3 % had positive self perception on use of sanitary pads for hygiene purposes while 67.1% felt satisfied as well as good and nice as it boosted their self-confidence, although 66.4% perceived it as expensive. However, there seems to be a behavioural change on use of sanitary pads with 66.4% as well as being positive; enabling a majority (52.1%) to attend classes normally at school. The conclusion from this study is that 66.3% of the adolescent girls of Abuja Municipal Area Council Abuja, Nigeria had positive perception on use of sanitary pads; 67.1% have perception that was satisfying, good, and nice on use of sanitary pads, boosting self-confidence though expensive for 64.4%. ,thus leading to a behavioural change that is positive.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:
- School authorities should take up at least a weekly session on the issues related to menstrual hygiene with parents. They can invite various experts at times to address the important issues.
- Teachers should also address some issues in the class and also inform the students about good and reputable sources which they should access for correct information.
- Schools should highlight issues like the girl child welfare in parent meetings, school days and report days to ensure that every girl child has got enough sanitary pads for the whole term. Matters concerning menstrual hygiene should be discussed with parents and their children and solutions thought to improvise on disposal bins and incinerators.
- The government together with the Ministry of Education and Sports should revise policies concerning school construction and settings to suite girl child education for instance in constructing classrooms that have private sanitary facilities.
REFERENCES
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- Abiioye Kuteyi, T. B., (2019). Menstrual knowledge and practices amongst secondary school girls in lle lfe, Nigeria. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health. 120 (1), 23–26.
- Akatia, N., Sommer, E., Connilly, T.S., & Smith, D., (2014). A comparison of the menstruation and education experiences of girls in Tanzania, Ghana, Cambodia and Ethiopia. Journal of Comparative and International Education. 45(4):589–609.
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- Aliyasu,T., Bliyu,M.H., Abubakar,K.T., & Galadancii, B.S., (2012). Sexual and reproductive health communication between mothers and their adolescent daughters in northern Nigeria. Health Care Women International.33(2):138-52.
- Busarii,D.T., (2012). Menstrual Knowledge and Health Care behavior among Adolescent Girls in Rural Areas. Menstrual hygiene management. 2(4):44 – 45.
- Carlsin, T., & Wilson, R., (2011). Menstrual management and women who have intellectual disabilities: Service providers and decision-making. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. 21:39–57.