Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin

Abstract

A poor management of menstrual hygiene and the occurrence of teenage pregnancies constitute a real public health problem in Benin. The aim of the research was to analyse the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to determine the prevalence of early pregnancies as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 230 adolescent girls was selected by three-stage cluster sampling. Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old who had their menstruation and living in Lokossa commune were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of menarche was 14.17±1.18 years. The Kotafon was the majority ethnic group and concerned 81% of the adolescent surveyed girls. The prevalence of early pregnancy was 14.8%. Girls' level of good knowledge of menstruation was evaluated at 47.8%, the level of good practices was 17.8%. Early pregnancy is more observed among adolescent girls living in couple, those in school and those living outside the matrimonial home (p<0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, the non-indigenous girls had a three times good menstrual hygiene practices than indigenous girls (Kotafon ethnic group) with OR=7.13 [CI95% 2.20-23.13], p=0.001 and living outside the family (parents, guardians) increased the level of good menstrual hygiene practices more than seven times, OR=7.22 [CI95% 2.45-21.27], p<0.001. The absence of religious beliefs among adolescents increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 10 times compared to the presence of religious beliefs OR=10.52 [CI95% 2.83-38.46], p<0.001. Regarding access to drinking water, compared to 'sometimes' and 'never' access, 'always' access induced a higher proportion of good menstrual hygiene practices respectively by 6.25 times (OR=6.25 [CI95% 1.96-20.00]), p<0.001 and 9.09 times (OR=9.09 [CI95% 2.78-33.33], p<0.001). In addition, good menstrual hygiene knowledge increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 4.55 times OR=4.55 [CI95% 1.61-12.50], p=0.006. Strong sensitization program on menstrual hygiene practices and/or continuous access to drinking water can induce best practices on menstrual hygiene and decrease early pregnancy.