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Effects of Menstrual Health and Hygiene on School Absenteeism and Drop-Out among Adolescent Girls in Rural Gambia

Author

Listed:
  • Vishna Shah

    (Environmental Health Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Helen Nabwera

    (Department of Education and Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK)

  • Bakary Sonko

    (The Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia)

  • Fatou Bajo

    (The Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia)

  • Fatou Faal

    (The Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia)

  • Mariama Saidykhan

    (The Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia)

  • Yamoundaw Jallow

    (The Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul P.O. Box 273, The Gambia)

  • Omar Keita

    (Regional Education Directorate Four, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mansakonko Lower River Region, Banjul P.O. Box 989, The Gambia)

  • Wolf-Peter Schmidt

    (Environmental Health Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Belen Torondel

    (Environmental Health Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

Abstract

Poor knowledge and management of menstruation impacts girls’ school attendance and academic performance. This paper aims to explore how menstrual hygiene management practices and related factors influence school absenteeism and drop-out among primary and secondary school girls in rural Gambia. Mixed-method studies were conducted among students and key informants from 19 schools from July 2015–December 2017. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, cross-sectional surveys, menstrual diaries, and school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facility observations were used. Key findings from the interviews were that menstrual pain, cultural beliefs, fear of peers knowing menstrual status, and poor school WASH facilities led to school absenteeism, however, they had no impact on school drop-out. Of the 561 girls surveyed, 27% reported missing at least one school day per month due to menses. Missing school during the most recent menstrual period was strongly associated with menstrual pain (extreme pain adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 16.8 (95% CI: 7.29–38.74)), as was having at least one symptom suggestive of urinary tract infection (AOR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.16–2.52)) or reproductive tract infection (AOR = 1.99 (95% CI: 1.34–2.94)). Clean toilets (AOR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.26–75)), being happy using school latrines while menstruating (AOR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.37–0.93)), and soap availability (AOR = 0.46 (95% CI: 0.3–0.73)) were associated with reduced odds of school absenteeism. This study suggests menstrual pain, school WASH facilities, urogenital infections, and cultural beliefs affected school attendance among menstruating girls in rural Gambia.

Suggested Citation

  • Vishna Shah & Helen Nabwera & Bakary Sonko & Fatou Bajo & Fatou Faal & Mariama Saidykhan & Yamoundaw Jallow & Omar Keita & Wolf-Peter Schmidt & Belen Torondel, 2022. "Effects of Menstrual Health and Hygiene on School Absenteeism and Drop-Out among Adolescent Girls in Rural Gambia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3337-:d:769240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marni Sommer & Bethany A Caruso & Murat Sahin & Teresa Calderon & Sue Cavill & Therese Mahon & Penelope A Phillips-Howard, 2016. "A Time for Global Action: Addressing Girls’ Menstrual Hygiene Management Needs in Schools," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-9, February.
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