Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Jun 29:2:9.

The impact of pre-menarcheal training on menstrual practices and hygiene of Nigerian school girls

Uzochukwu Uzoma Aniebue  1 , Patricia Nonyelum Aniebue, Theophilus Ogochukwu Nwankwo
Affiliations

The impact of pre-menarcheal training on menstrual practices and hygiene of Nigerian school girls

Uzochukwu Uzoma Aniebue et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Background: The menstrual practices of adolescents derive largely from health issues associated with their adjustment to reproductive life. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of pre-menarcheal training on the menstrual and hygiene practices of Nigerian school girls.

Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of randomly selected post-menarcheal school girls using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was done.

Results: The mean age of the school girls was 14.9 ± 1.7 years. Pre-menarcheal training was given to 273 (55.2%) of them. Mothers (74.7%) were the more common source of information. Inappropriate experience of menarche, adverse effect of menstruation on schooling and social life and the use of unhygienic menstrual absorbents were common in girls who had no pre-menarcheal training than those who did.

Conclusion: Lack of timely information results in inappropriate menstrual experiences and poor menstrual hygiene practices. Ways to promote menstrual education and hygiene practices are suggested.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Deo DS, Ghattargi CH. Perceptions and practices regarding menstruation. A comparative study in urban and rural adolescent girls. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 2005;30:33–34.
    1. El-Gilanya A, Badawib K, EL-Fedawyb S. Menstrual hygiene among adolescent school girls in Mansoura, Egypt. Reproductive Health Matters. 2005;13:147–152. - PubMed
    1. Marianne E, Mc Pherson M. E, Korfine L. Menstruation across time: menarche, menstrual attitudes, experiences and behaviors. Women’s Health Issues. 2004;14:193–200. - PubMed
    1. Narayan KA, Srinivasa DK, Pelto PJ. Puberty rituals, reproductive knowledge and health of adolescent school girls in South India. Asia-Pacific Population Journal. 2001;16:225–238.
    1. World Health Organization. Adolescent friendly health services. An agenda for change. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002.