Gyasi-Gyamerah Angela A, Manukure Joseph Mfum, Andoh Lily N A, Dey Nutifafa Eugene Yaw, Ansah Kenneth Owusu, Agbadi Pascal
Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, 8 Castle Peak Road, Hong Kong, SAR.
Heliyon. 2022 May 18;8(5):e09463. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09463. eCollection 2022 May.
Menstruation among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) can be marked by several challenges that often result in exclusion from social activities. Information regarding this subject matter is however sparse in Ghana. This study examined the rural-urban differences in prevalence and correlates of exclusion from social activities due to menstruation among AGYW in Ghana. The study used cross-sectional data drawn from the women dataset of 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (GMICS 6). Data of adolescents ( = 2927; age 15-19) and young women ( = 2194; age 20-24) was analyzed in Stata version 14. About 21.65% of the respondents indicated that they excluded themselves from activities during menstruation with slightly higher rates for rural AGYW (22.2%) compared to their urban counterparts (21.11%). Multivariable Poisson regression models showed that compared with nonattainment of formal education, urban AGYW who attained a primary level education were more likely to exclude themselves from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 2.76, 95% CI:1.11, 6.90]. Also, currently married urban AGYW were less likely to exclude themselves from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 0.63, 95% CI:0.44, 0.91]. AGYW residing in the second-lowest wealth household in rural areas had a higher likelihood of exclusion from social activities due to menstruation [APR = 1.34, 95% CI:1.03, 1.75]. Region of residence was a significant correlate in both rural and urban samples but with an observed rural-urban variation. Given the prevalence of AGYW who exclude themselves from social activities, the government and non-governmental organizations that seek to improve menstrual hygiene and empower young women to participate in social activities regardless of their monthly menstrual flow should take into consideration the urban-rural differentials in the associated factors identified in this study.
青春期女孩和年轻女性（AGYW）的月经可能会带来一些挑战，这些挑战常常导致她们被排除在社交活动之外。然而，在加纳，关于这一主题的信息却很稀少。本研究调查了加纳AGYW中因月经而被排除在社交活动之外的患病率及相关因素的城乡差异。该研究使用了从2017/2018年加纳多指标类集调查六（GMICS 6）的女性数据集中提取的横断面数据。在Stata 14版本中对青少年（n = 2927；年龄15 - 19岁）和年轻女性（n = 2194；年龄20 - 24岁）的数据进行了分析。约21.65%的受访者表示，她们在月经期间会自我排除在活动之外，农村AGYW的比例（22.2%）略高于城市AGYW（21.11%）。多变量泊松回归模型显示，与未接受正规教育相比，接受小学教育的城市AGYW因月经而更有可能自我排除在社交活动之外[风险比（APR）= 2.76，95%置信区间（CI）：1.11，6.90]。此外，目前已婚的城市AGYW因月经而自我排除在社交活动之外的可能性较小[APR = 0.63，95% CI：0.44，0.91]。居住在农村地区第二低财富家庭的AGYW因月经而被排除在社交活动之外的可能性更高[APR = 1.34，95% CI：1.03，1.75]。居住地区在农村和城市样本中都是一个显著的相关因素，但存在城乡差异。鉴于有自我排除在社交活动之外的AGYW的患病率，寻求改善经期卫生并使年轻女性能够参与社交活动而不论其每月月经情况的政府和非政府组织应考虑本研究中确定的相关因素的城乡差异。
