Relationship between female university students' knowledge on menstruation and their menstrual hygiene practices: a study in tamale, Ghana
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Authors
Ameade, Evans Paul Kwame
Garti, Helene Akpene
Issue Date
2016
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Knowledge , Menstruation , Menstrual Hygiene Practices
Alternative Title
Abstract
Positive perception about menstruation and good menstrual hygiene practice safeguards the health of postpubescent females by reducing their vulnerability to reproductive and urinary tract infections. Using a questionnaire, a cross-sectional study involving 293 randomly selected female undergraduate students in northern Ghana assessed the relationship between knowledge on menstruation and the practice of safe menstrual hygiene. Data collected was analyzed using GraphPad 5.01. This study found that although majority of respondents (73.4%) were aware of menstruation before menarche, most of them experienced fear and panic when it occurred. Mothers were the first to be informed when menstruation occurred, although teachers first provided them knowledge on menstruation. Respondents' knowledge on menstruation was average (57.3%) but their menstrual hygiene practice was good (80.2%). Age (p = 0.005) and course of study (p = 0.0008) significantly influenced respondents' knowledge on menstruation with older students as well as the medical and midwifery students being most knowledgeable. Muslim rather than Christian female students practiced better menstrual hygiene (p = 0.0001). Average knowledge score on menstruation indicated a deficit of knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system. Increasing knowledge on menstruation had a positive and significant effect on practice of good menstrual hygiene.
Description
Citation
Ameade, E. P., & Garti, H. A. (2016). Relationship between Female University Students' Knowledge on Menstruation and Their Menstrual Hygiene Practices: A Study in Tamale, Ghana. Advances in preventive medicine, 2016, 1056235. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1056235
Publisher
Advances in Preventive Medicine