Evaluating the Impact of the Basic for Girls (B4G) Project in Zambia on Menstrual Hygiene Management

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this research is to rigorously determine the effectiveness of the B4G project, an MHM intervention, in the Zambian context. In particular, this study will focus on the project's potential to improve and uphold the reproductive rights of adolescent girls. Originality: This research seeks to fill a gap in the academic landscape by carefully evaluating the effectiveness of comprehensive MHM initiatives in educational institutions in Zambia. Methodology: Using a Difference-in-Differences (DID) analytic approach, the research draws on data collected between 2019 and 2022. A methodologically matched comparison group was used to discern the impact of the B4G initiative on the target population, adolescent girls in Zambia. Result: The B4G program in Zambia had significant positive effects on various key areas related to MHM, empowerment, and hygiene practices among young girls. It specifically improved attitudes towards menstruation, increased self-efficacy, and bettered problem-solving skills. However, while there were observed increases in both the MHM knowledge and gender gap indices, these were not statistically significant, potentially due to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on schooling. Conclusions and Implication: This scholarly endeavor provides critical insights into the field of holistic MHM programs, particularly within the educational milieu of Zambia. It resonates with the evolving conceptual shift that advocates for educational institutions as the epicenter of MHM interventions, deviating from the conventional locus in health-centered institutions. The study underscores the critical nexus between education, empowerment and MHM.