A qualitative study on menstrual health and hygiene management among adolescent schoolgirls in peri-urban Lusaka, Zambia

Autor: Joy Sambo, Sikopo Nyambe, Taro Yamauchi
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 15-26 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2043-9083
2408-9362
DOI: 10.2166/washdev.2024.069
Popis: Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) require adequate sanitary facilities, clean water, product access, privacy and safety, and disposal. MHH can significantly influence girls' health and educational achievements. However, schools in some developing countries lack proper Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) amenities to manage healthy menstruation. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance WASH services to tackle menstrual-related difficulties effectively. Zambian government schools struggle with insufficient WASH infrastructures. Hence, it is imperative to reveal the status of WASH services for policy progress and to promote girls' optimal menstrual health. We conducted observations and a qualitative study to evaluate the school's WASH facilities, investigate the sociocultural factors impacting MHH, and examine coping mechanisms to manage menstruation. Thirty adolescent schoolgirls, aged 14–19, residing in Lusaka peri-urban areas, participated in five focus group discussions. Insufficient school security, inadequate sanitary facilities, absence of clean water, and limited access to menstrual materials presented notable challenges. Culturally, there was an expectation for girls to swiftly embrace womanhood despite being unprepared for the natural biological process it entailed. Girls formulated strategies for managing challenges associated with MHH. The fundamental needs of menstruating girls include a sufficient supply of menstrual materials, improved WASH services, increased safety, and enhanced privacy. HIGHLIGHTS Sociocultural beliefs influence menstrual health and hygiene (MHH).; Good MHH includes safe WASH.; Functional WASH facilities, clean and safe water, safety, and disposal facilities are crucial.; Girls need provisions that are female-friendly, socially acceptable, and appropriate. These provisions should also meet their culturally context-specific needs.; Girls’ needs continue to persist, including sufficient menstrual materials, improved WASH services, enhanced safety, and privacy.;
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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