Safe Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices and Associated Factors among Secondary School Female Students in Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Azene, Zigijit; Derebe, Tigist; Nigatu, Selamawit; Abera, Mangistu; Derribow, Aberash Beyene

doi:10.22038/jmrh.2025.88727.2683

Safe Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices and Associated Factors among Secondary School Female Students in Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Zigijit Azene ¹

Tigist Derebe ¹

selamawit Nigatu ²

Mangistu Abera ³

Aberash Beyene Derribow ³

¹ Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

² Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hosanna, Ethiopia

³ Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia

10.22038/jmrh.2025.88727.2683

Abstract

Background & aim: Many women worldwide face challenges in managing menstrual hygiene due to inadequate facilities, high costs, and misinformation, which can increase the risk of health complications. Evidence regarding safe menstrual management practices among secondary school students in northern Ethiopia remains limited. This study aimed to assess menstrual hygiene management practices and their associated factors among secondary school female students in Northern Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 834 female secondary school students from April 1 to 30, 2022, who were selected using a multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.
Results: This study revealed that the proportion of students practicing safe menstrual management was 46.6% (95% CI: 43.2–50.0). Age at menarche (AOR = 6.4, 95% CI: 1.0–13.6), prior information before menarche (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.2–4.2), having pocket money (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9–3.6), comfort with the school environment (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.5–2.8), and knowledge of menstrual management (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1) were factors associated with safe menstrual hygiene practices.
Conclusion: More than half of the participants did not practice safe menstrual hygiene management. Hence, awareness about menstrual hygiene management should be enhanced among female students to improve safe hygiene practices.

Keywords

Adolescent

School

Menstruation

Hygiene

Ethiopia

Subjects