Menstrual Hygiene Practice and Associated Factors among Secondary School Girls in Wegera District, Northwest Ethiopia; a Cross-Sectional Study

Menstrual hygiene is an issue that is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention. There is a substantial knowledge gap on menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. Lack of knowledge and poor personal hygienic practices during menstruation can lead to various gynecological problems. This study aimed to assess menstrual hygine practice and factors associated with it among secondary school girls in Wegera District, Northwest Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 randomly selected secondary school girls from March to April, 2014. The data were collected by using pre-tested self -administered questionnaire. Good menstrual hygiene practice was found to be 29.8%. Menstrual practice among girls who had exposure to advertisement on sanitary napkins (AOR 2.06(1.27, 3.34)) and good knowledge on menstrual hygiene (AOR 2.23(1.06, 4.71)) were the factors associated with good menstrual hygiene practice. This study revealed that the menstrual hygiene practice of secondary school girls was low. Exposure to advertisement regarding sanitary napkins and knowledge on menstrual hygiene were found to influence their practice towards menstrual hygiene. Menstrual hygiene is an issue needs to be addressed at all levels.