Attitudes, Beliefs and Perception of Menstruation Related SocioCultural Practices and Menstrual Hygiene Management among InSchool Adolescent Girls in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Menstruation and its management in developing countries including Nigeria are often shrouded in inhibitory cultural myths,
taboos and stigma. The study examined the perceptions of adolescent in-school girls about the teaching of menstruation and
sexuality education in schools, socio-cultural practices associated with menstruation and management of menstruation was
determined. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1006 randomly selected urban and rural-based
adolescent schoolgirls from both public and private secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Most (72.8%) of the
respondents supported discussions about menstruation and the teaching of sexuality education in schools. Over 70% of the
respondents were opposed to the prohibitive practices associated with menstruation, 80% of the girls used sanitary pads as
menstrual absorbents. The teaching of contextual sexuality education in Nigerian schools to address existing myths, beliefs and
misconceptions about menstruation and its management should be encouraged and sustained.