KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN WOLISO TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Menstruation is one of normal biological processes as well as a key sign of reproductive health. But the issue is inadequately assessed and has not received proper attention. In many cultures menstruation is greatly stigmatized, treated as something shameful or dirty and constrained by practical, social, economic and cultural factors such as expense of commercial sanitary pads, lack of water and latrine facilities, lack of private rooms for changing sanitary pads and limited education about the facts of menstrual hygiene. However, menstrual hygiene management is an issue that is under researched in Ethiopia in general and study area in particular. Objective: To assess knowledge, Attitude, practice and associated factors of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in woliso town secondary schools, Oromia region, Ethiopia 2023. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed from May to June, 2023 in Woliso town secondary schools. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 414 study participants. A pretested and self- administer structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was collected, coded, and entered into SPSS version 25.0. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis to determine the association between independent and outcome variables. Independent variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis was entered into the multivariable logistic regression model. The significance and strength of the association was determined at a 95% confidence interval with a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: A data were collected from 414 participants, and 414 girl students were completed the questionnaires giving the response rate of 100%. Among 414, 245(59.2%), 214(51.7%) and 167(40.3%) adolescent girls have good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice of menstrual hygiene management respectively. Respondents whose mother’s educational status of college and above [AOR=1.71, 95% CI (1.538-5.458)]. Respondents whose mother’s able to read and write [AOR=2.73, 95% CI (1.069-6.954), P=0.036)]. Respondents who was 11th grade level [AOR= 6.824; 95% CI (1.265-36.815), P=0.026)], who get permanent pocket money [AOR=7.603;95% CI (3.210-18.010), P=0.000), who learn about menstrual hygiene management in school [AOR=2.9; 95% CI (1.185-6.873), P=0.019)] were factors significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, practice of menstrual hygieneConclusion and Recommendation: More than half of respondents were knowledgeable and had positive attitude about menstrual hygiene but, lower than half of respondents had good practice of menstrual hygiene. Town education office and school directors should work hard to improve knowledge, attitude and practice of students on menstrual hygiene management