A research conducted by WaterAid Ghana (WAG), a leading water, hygiene and sanitation NGO has revealed that 84 percent of school pupils in Ghana are aware of menstruation.
While their level of understanding of how it happens is 18 percent low, 16% do not know at all what menstruation is.
The research themed-‘Menstrual Hygiene Management in Ghana Understanding the Socio Cultural, Economic, Political Factors, Challenges and Opportunities’ also revealed that pupils’ impressions about menstruations varied.
17.3 percent of the pupils menstruation is a negative phenomenon; the majority (66.8%) however thought it is a normal occurrence, according to the study.
Largely, the pupils indicated that they learnt about menstruation in school, consistent with results of similar studies in Ghana.
The WAG’s study covered eight districts purposely selected in the north and south of Ghana. The districts in the north are: Tamale Metropolis, Wa Municipal, West Gonja and Nadowli-Kaleo Districts, while the south districts are: La-Nkwantanang-Madina and Ashaiman Municipal Areas, Jasikan and Krachi East Districts. In all, 16 schools from primary to Junior High School were covered across the eight districts.
Presenting the report at a day’s wider water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector stakeholders’ meeting in Accra, the Country Director of WAG, Abdul-Nashiru Mohammed said the main objective of the meeting was to share the outcomes of the study and discuss the best solutions in mainstreaming MHM within the national WASH in Schools (WinS) implementation framework.
The other objectives of the meeting he mentioned include to provide the framework for establishing partnership for a coordinated MHM implementation in Ghana through the formation of a national MHM working group under the leadership of GES-SHEP; and validate the proposed MHM design and implementation models at community and school levels .
Mr Mohammed told the participants at the meeting that the goal of the study was to explore and understand MHM behaviours and practices in schools across multiple levels/factors and how they may impact WASH implementation in Ghana.
Key findings
Perceptions
*Consistent with literature, menstrual perceptions were deep-seated. This affected What they believe in regarding menstruation;
-How menstruating girls/ women are related to
*Perceptions were centered on menstrual blood. It has spiritual powers to ;
-Make impure
-Multiply money etc.
*There was the general perception that menstruating girls had the potential of being promiscuous.
Influence of culture, religion and social norm
Consistent with existing literature,
-This was same across the different cultures/ zones
-Deep-seated beliefs about menstruation, influenced by perceptions
-Society (community and school) engage in practices that separate menstruating girls during their menstrual periods.
*Practices are based on these beliefs
This affected how boys relate to girls,
*The posture of the girls/ females themselves – secrecy
How the entire society related to menstruation
*Moslems and traditional believers issues with menstruation – linked it to their religious beliefs.
The Christian areas also reported similar beliefs and practices but did not relate them to their religion – Not consistent with literature
Impacts
*Consistent with literature
Menstruation had impacts on girls and their living condition, both at school and home as also revealed by other studies
*The lack of adequate knowledge and information flow on MHM in the target area makes it difficult for younger menstruating school girls to manage themselves both in school and at home during their menstrual periods
*Pain and discomfort experienced by the average girl affect their concentration and learning at school
*Fear of being teased by boys seemed to affect girls’ affects
openness on the subject matter
their confidence to manage the phenomenon, especially in school
Impacts
In sharp contrast to the results of similar studies carried out in Ghana,
87.6% of menstruating girls engaged attended school when they were in their menstrual periods.
However
There school environment was too friendly for MHM because of
The general absence of appropriate facilities
Lack of emergency menstrual hygiene kits or supplies for girls
Appropriate/ organized First Aid services
General anxiety by girls that they might have menstrual accidents
Boys showed the readiness to support girls though they had issues
At home, girls seemed to have more room to manage their menstrual periods thought there were still societal restrictions
MHM facilities
Others studies in Ghana had reported of MHM-friendly facilities
In the schools visited, there were virtually no menstrual hygiene-friendly facilities for the girls
Sanitary towels did not seem to be scarce in the study areas – different types
Girls reported they used the disposable ones.
Indications were that it was a bit more expensive, girls did not really complain
Some mothers reported their preference for cloth because they believed they were durable and hygienic.
Deliverable
*Recommend measures and strategies for WaterAid Ghana programmes to evolve the effective integration of MHM in WASH dialogues, programmes, advocacy and policies in the WASH sector of Ghana
*Propose models for MHM design and implementation at community and school levels
*Identify possible collaborative partners which support effective MHM
African Eye Report
