Gbogbo Sitsofe, Wuresah Israel, Axame Wisdom, Klutse Priscilla, Gbogbo Emmanuel, Dowou Robert Kokou, Mantey Sarah Odi, Ayitey Sarah Abena Yeome, Boateng Ishmael, Nelson Paramount Eli, Kugbey Nuworza, Doku Victor Christian Korley, Hennegan Julie, Baiden Frank E, Binka Fred N
Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana.
Reprod Health. 2025 May 13;22(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s12978-025-02024-y.
Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) are a global public health priority, particularly for adolescent girls. Improper menstrual hygiene practices are linked to negative health outcomes. This study explored menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in senior high schools in the Volta Region of Ghana, focusing on practices and beliefs surrounding menstrual blood disposal.
To investigate menstrual hygiene practices, including disposal methods and the influence of ritualistic beliefs on adolescent girls in selected high schools.
This qualitative study employed an exploratory design, using purposive and convenience sampling to select participants from five senior high schools in the Volta Region. Data were collected from 60 adolescent girls through focus group discussions. MAXQDA 2022 software was used for thematic analysis.
Participants reported varied menstrual product disposal practices shaped by safety concerns and cultural beliefs. Common methods included burning, burying, or discarding in latrines. Fear of ritual use of menstrual blood led many to avoid public disposal, with parental advice reinforcing these fears. Observations, however, revealed inconsistent practices, including disposal in open pits and washroom floors. Additionally, water and hygiene facilities were mostly inadequate, with many girls relying on poorly maintained pit latrines and non-functional flushing toilets.
The study found a mismatch between what girls say they do with menstrual waste and what actually happens in schools. While they report discreet methods like burning or burying due to fear of ritual misuse, observations showed that waste were often left in open or unsanitary areas. This gap points to poor school sanitation and deep-rooted cultural beliefs. Improving menstrual hygiene in schools requires more than infrastructure - secure, private disposal options and culturally sensitive education are essential.
月经健康与卫生是全球公共卫生的重点事项，对少女而言尤为如此。不当的经期卫生习惯与不良健康后果相关。本研究探讨了加纳沃尔特地区高中少女的经期卫生习惯，重点关注围绕月经血处理的习惯和观念。
调查选定高中少女的经期卫生习惯，包括处理方法以及仪式性观念对其的影响。
这项定性研究采用探索性设计，通过立意抽样和便利抽样从沃尔特地区的五所高中选取参与者。通过焦点小组讨论从60名少女中收集数据。使用MAXQDA 2022软件进行主题分析。
参与者报告了因安全担忧和文化信仰而形成的多样的月经用品处理习惯。常见方法包括焚烧、掩埋或丢弃在厕所。对月经血被用于仪式的恐惧导致许多人避免公开处理，父母的建议强化了这些恐惧。然而，观察发现存在不一致的做法，包括丢弃在露天坑和卫生间地板上。此外，水和卫生设施大多不足，许多女孩依赖维护不善的坑式厕所和无法使用的冲水马桶。
研究发现女孩们所说的月经废物处理方式与学校实际发生的情况之间存在差异。虽然她们因担心仪式性滥用而报告采用焚烧或掩埋等谨慎方法，但观察表明废物常常被留在露天或不卫生的区域。这种差距表明学校卫生条件差以及文化信仰根深蒂固。改善学校的月经卫生状况不仅需要基础设施——安全、私密的处理选择和具有文化敏感性的教育至关重要。
