Challenges of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Ethiopia Revealed

Menstrual hygiene management is a critical aspect of adolescent girls’ health, yet it remains a significant challenge in many low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. In 2017, the World Health Organization highlighted that billions of girls and women worldwide face difficulties managing their menstruation due to factors like inadequate facilities, high costs, and lack of awareness. This situation often leads to the use of unhygienic materials, putting them at risk of infections and other health issues.

Despite the natural process of menstruation, misconceptions and poor practices surrounding it can have severe health implications, including reproductive and urinary tract infections. In developed countries, menstrual hygiene management is well-established, but in poorer regions, girls and women face obstacles such as limited access to clean water, lack of proper sanitation facilities, and social taboos that hinder their menstrual health.

In Ethiopia, where the majority of girls lack proper menstrual hygiene education, the risk of genitourinary tract infections due to poor practices during menstruation is high. Many girls hesitate to discuss menstruation with their families out of fear of stigma or punishment, leading to absenteeism from school. Additionally, inadequate sanitation facilities in schools further compound the challenges faced by girls during their menstrual cycles.

A recent study conducted in Gursum district, Eastern Ethiopia, aimed to assess menstrual hygiene management practices among adolescent school girls. The study revealed that over half of the participants practiced unsafe menstrual hygiene management. Factors such as age, prior knowledge of menstruation, residency area (urban vs. rural), access to commercially available sanitary pads, and history of vaginal infections during menstruation were identified as significant determinants of menstrual hygiene practices.

The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive menstrual hygiene education and access to proper sanitary products for adolescent girls. Improving menstrual hygiene practices can have a positive impact on girls’ health, self-esteem, and educational outcomes. Policymakers, stakeholders, and health program planners should collaborate to implement effective interventions that promote safe menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in Ethiopia and other similar settings.