Influencing Factor Analysis and Countermeasures for Improving Hygienic Management for School Girls During Menstruation Period: A Case Study of Ten (10) Schools on Bushrod Island, Monrovia Liberia

Abstract

A culture of silence surrounds the issue of menstruation inLiberian society. In traditional societies of the world, likeLiberia, menstruation is usually considered unclean and taboo. Most schoolgirls do not have adequate information about menstrual hygiene. This study was conducted to identify factors that affect Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) of schoolgirls in Liberia and mitigation strategies for improving Menstrual Hygiene during their menstruation periods. Although menstrual hygiene is fundamental to a healthy environment and the overall well-being of women and girls everywhere, it has not attracted such deserving urgency from the national health authorities, including the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Commission of Liberia.The researcher employed a mixed-methodwith a cross-sectional descriptive approach to examine girls' understanding, practices, and skills concerning menstrual hygiene. Only ten (10) schools in Liberia were surveyed; six (6) private schools and four (4) public schools. The survey was conducted with 200 students from these schools ranging from the three divisions as structured by the Ministry of Education in Liberia, namely elementary (1 st – 6 th grade), junior (7 th – 9 th grade) and senior high (10 th – 12 th grade). The research found that shortage of educational materials on MHM, lack of knowledge and experience of menstruation and limited sanitation facilities on school campuses are the key factors affecting the menstrual hygiene management of schoolgirls in Liberia. The research further revealed that most schools have poor sanitation facilities (toilets and washrooms), causing female students to miss days in school during their menstruation.During the assessment, it was observed that the few facilities on some campuses were rated unhealthy and combined, meaning both girls and boys were using the same sanitation facilities (toilets and washrooms). Based on these findings, the researcher realizes that girls need the right support, information, and safe space for appropriate menstrual hygiene practices. Therefore, the Ministry of Education of Liberia should galvanize support to inspect schools’ sanitation facilities and include MHM through its comprehensive sexuality education model across Liberian schools. Keywords: Menstruation, Hygiene, Sanitation, Female Students DOI: 10.7176/CER/14-2-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2022