Menstrual Hygiene and Its Impact on School Attendance among Adolescent School Girls in Rundu

A study to assess menstrual hygiene and its impact on school attendance among adolescent school girls was conducted in selected combined schools in Rundu. The aim of the study was to assess menstrual hygiene and the impact of menstruation on school attendance among adolescent school girls in Rundu. A cross sectional study was conducted with 138 study participants. A self-administered questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to collect data. Questionnaires were analysed with descriptive statistics such as proportions, mean and standard deviation, and presented in tables and charts. Chi-square test was used to demonstrate bi-variate associations, while FGDs were analysed thematically. It was found that girls use a wide variety of materials during menstruation ranging from pads, tampons, toilet paper, cottons and pieces of cloth. There were lapses in knowledge and misconceptions regarding menstruation. There was reasonable knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene and most girls (76%) used sanitary pads in their last period. Almost half of the girls (49%) however found sanitary pads unaffordable and 33% did not use sanitary pads for their last period. Some problems encountered when menstruating on school days, included unavailability of soap and water in the toilets (44%), lack of privacy in the toilets (25%), dirty or non-functional toilets (24%). Some girls missed classes or did not concentrate in class due to lack of sanitary materials (41%), pain and discomfort (14%) and this affected their performance. The study shows that ensuring access to appropriate sanitary materials improves school attendance, academic performance and the girls’ potential success in life. Providing information to girls on menstrual hygiene is necessary to empower and prepare girls for menstruation and a healthy reproductive future, while preventing RTIs and circumventing challenges that could compromise their academic pursuits. Education authorities should consider providing sanitary pads to girls in school to ensure universal access. Stakeholder involvement is necessary due to the multi-dimensional nature of menstrual hygiene management.