Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin

Badirou Aguemon; Barikissou Georgia Damien; Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin

Badirou Aguemon, Barikissou Georgia Damien, Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Received: 3 October 2021 Accepted: 25 October 2021 Published: 12 November 2021

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Abstract

A poor management of menstrual hygiene and the occurrence of teenage pregnancies constitute a real public health problem in Benin. The aim of the research was to analyse the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to determine the prevalence of early pregnancies as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 230 adolescent girls was selected by three-stage cluster sampling. Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old who had their menstruation and living in Lokossa commune were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of menarche was 14.17±1.18 years. The Kotafon was the majority ethnic group and concerned 81% of the adolescent surveyed girls. The prevalence of early pregnancy was 14.8%. Girls' level of good knowledge of menstruation was evaluated at 47.8%, the level of good practices was 17.8%. Early pregnancy is more observed among adolescent girls living in couple, those in school and those living outside the matrimonial home (p<0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, the non-indigenous girls had a three times good menstrual hygiene practices than indigenous girls (Kotafon ethnic group) with OR=7.13 [CI95% 2.20-23.13], p=0.001 and living outside the family (parents, guardians) increased the level of good menstrual hygiene practices more than seven times, OR=7.22 [CI95% 2.45-21.27], p<0.001. The absence of religious beliefs among adolescents increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 10 times compared to the presence of religious beliefs OR=10.52 [CI95% 2.83-38.46], p<0.001. Regarding access to drinking water, compared to 'sometimes' and 'never' access, 'always' access induced a higher proportion of good menstrual hygiene practices respectively by 6.25 times (OR=6.25 [CI95% 1.96-20.00]), p<0.001 and 9.09 times (OR=9.09 [CI95% 2.78-33.33], p<0.001). In addition, good menstrual hygiene knowledge increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 4.55 times OR=4.55 [CI95% 1.61-12.50], p=0.006. Strong sensitization program on menstrual hygiene practices and/or continuous access to drinking water can induce best practices on menstrual hygiene and decrease early pregnancy.

Published in	World Journal of Public Health (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13
Page(s)	148-154
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Menstrual Hygiene, Early Pregnancy, Knowledge and Practices, Adolescent Girl, Benin

References

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[2]	Kumar, R. (2012) Menstrual hygiene management in Uganda. International Water and Sanitation Centre IRC, page 1-34.
[3]	House, S., Mahon, T., Cavill, S. (2012) Menstrual hygiene matters: A resource for improving menstrual hygiene around the world. Reproductive Health Matters, 21, 1-354.
[4]	Henson, B. J., McHenry M. M., Hatfield, D. H. (2011) SIL Electronic Survey Reports 2011-015. A sociolinguistic survey of the Gbe language communities of Benin and Togo: Kotafon language area. Journal of Language Survey Reports, 3, 36 p. https://www.sil.org/system/files/reapdata/74/15/76/74157608862259052852049492265577095847/silesr2011_015.pdf.
[5]	Belayneh, Z., Mekuriaw, B. (2019) Knowledge And menstrual hygiene practice among adolescent school girls in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 19, 1-8.
[6]	Adinma, E. D., Adinma, J. (2008) Perceptions and practices on menstruation amongst Nigerian secondary school girls. Afr J Reprod Health., 12 (1), 74–83.
[7]	ONU-FEMMES (2018) Étude sur la gestion de l’hygiène menstruelle à Kye-ossi et Bamoungoum, Cameroun. Note synthèse, Conseil de concertation pour l’approvisionnement en eau et l’assainissement (WSSCC) et l’ONU Femmes, 1-4. [UN-WOMEN (2018) Study on menstrual hygiene management in Kye-ossi and Bamoungoum, Cameroon. Policy brief, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and UN Women, 1-4].
[8]	Chothe, V., Khubchandani, J., Seabert, D., Asalkar, M., Rakshe, S., Firke, A., Midha, I., Simmons, R. (2014) Students’ perceptions and doubts about menstruation in developing countries: a case study from India. Health Promot Pract., 15 (3), 319–326.
[9]	Kamaljit, K., Arora, B., Singh, K., Neki, N. (2012) Social beliefs and practices associated with menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of Amritsar, Punjab, India. JIMSA., 25 (2), 69–70.
[10]	Kaur, R., Kaur, K., Kaur, R. (2018) Menstrual Hygiene, Management, and Waste Disposal: Practices and Challenges Faced by Girls/Women of Developing Countries. J Environ Public Health, 20; 2018: 1730964.
[11]	Chandra-Mouli, V., Patel, S. V. (2017) Mapping the knowledge and understanding of menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries. Reprod Health, 1; 14 (1): 30.
[12]	Shanbhag, D., Shilpa, R., D'Souza, N., Josephine, P., Singh, J., Goud, B. (2012) Perceptions regarding menstruation and practices during menstrual cycles among high school going adolescent girls in resource limited settings around Bangalore city, Karnataka, India. Int J Collaborative Res Intern Med Public Health, 4 (7), 1353.
[13]	Poureslami, M., Osati-Ashtiani, F. (2002) Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of adolescent girls in suburban districts of Tehran about dysmenorrhea and menstrual hygiene. J Int Women's Stud., 3 (2), 51–61.
[14]	Shiferaw, M. T., Wubshet, M., Tegabu, D. (2014) Menstrual problems and associated factors among students of Bahir Dar University, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey. Pan Afr Med J., 17, 246.
[15]	Lee, S. (2002) Health and sickness: the meaning of menstruation and premenstrual syndrome in women's lives. Sex Roles, 46 (1), 25–35.

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Badirou Aguemon, Barikissou Georgia Damien, Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. (2021). Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World Journal of Public Health, 6(4), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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Badirou Aguemon; Barikissou Georgia Damien; Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World J. Public Health 2021, 6(4), 148-154. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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Badirou Aguemon, Barikissou Georgia Damien, Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World J Public Health. 2021;6(4):148-154. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13,
  author = {Badirou Aguemon and Barikissou Georgia Damien and Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou},
  title = {Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {148-154},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20210604.13},
  abstract = {A poor management of menstrual hygiene and the occurrence of teenage pregnancies constitute a real public health problem in Benin. The aim of the research was to analyse the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to determine the prevalence of early pregnancies as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 230 adolescent girls was selected by three-stage cluster sampling. Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old who had their menstruation and living in Lokossa commune were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of menarche was 14.17±1.18 years. The Kotafon was the majority ethnic group and concerned 81% of the adolescent surveyed girls. The prevalence of early pregnancy was 14.8%. Girls' level of good knowledge of menstruation was evaluated at 47.8%, the level of good practices was 17.8%. Early pregnancy is more observed among adolescent girls living in couple, those in school and those living outside the matrimonial home (p<0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, the non-indigenous girls had a three times good menstrual hygiene practices than indigenous girls (Kotafon ethnic group) with OR=7.13 [CI95% 2.20-23.13], p=0.001 and living outside the family (parents, guardians) increased the level of good menstrual hygiene practices more than seven times, OR=7.22 [CI95% 2.45-21.27], p<0.001. The absence of religious beliefs among adolescents increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 10 times compared to the presence of religious beliefs OR=10.52 [CI95% 2.83-38.46], p<0.001. Regarding access to drinking water, compared to 'sometimes' and 'never' access, 'always' access induced a higher proportion of good menstrual hygiene practices respectively by 6.25 times (OR=6.25 [CI95% 1.96-20.00]), p<0.001 and 9.09 times (OR=9.09 [CI95% 2.78-33.33], p<0.001). In addition, good menstrual hygiene knowledge increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 4.55 times OR=4.55 [CI95% 1.61-12.50], p=0.006. Strong sensitization program on menstrual hygiene practices and/or continuous access to drinking water can induce best practices on menstrual hygiene and decrease early pregnancy.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin
AU - Badirou Aguemon
AU - Barikissou Georgia Damien
AU - Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou
Y1 - 2021/11/12
PY - 2021
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13
DO - 10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13
T2 - World Journal of Public Health
JF - World Journal of Public Health
JO - World Journal of Public Health
SP - 148
EP - 154
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2637-6059
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13
AB - A poor management of menstrual hygiene and the occurrence of teenage pregnancies constitute a real public health problem in Benin. The aim of the research was to analyse the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to determine the prevalence of early pregnancies as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 230 adolescent girls was selected by three-stage cluster sampling. Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old who had their menstruation and living in Lokossa commune were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of menarche was 14.17±1.18 years. The Kotafon was the majority ethnic group and concerned 81% of the adolescent surveyed girls. The prevalence of early pregnancy was 14.8%. Girls' level of good knowledge of menstruation was evaluated at 47.8%, the level of good practices was 17.8%. Early pregnancy is more observed among adolescent girls living in couple, those in school and those living outside the matrimonial home (p<0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, the non-indigenous girls had a three times good menstrual hygiene practices than indigenous girls (Kotafon ethnic group) with OR=7.13 [CI95% 2.20-23.13], p=0.001 and living outside the family (parents, guardians) increased the level of good menstrual hygiene practices more than seven times, OR=7.22 [CI95% 2.45-21.27], p<0.001. The absence of religious beliefs among adolescents increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 10 times compared to the presence of religious beliefs OR=10.52 [CI95% 2.83-38.46], p<0.001. Regarding access to drinking water, compared to 'sometimes' and 'never' access, 'always' access induced a higher proportion of good menstrual hygiene practices respectively by 6.25 times (OR=6.25 [CI95% 1.96-20.00]), p<0.001 and 9.09 times (OR=9.09 [CI95% 2.78-33.33], p<0.001). In addition, good menstrual hygiene knowledge increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 4.55 times OR=4.55 [CI95% 1.61-12.50], p=0.006. Strong sensitization program on menstrual hygiene practices and/or continuous access to drinking water can induce best practices on menstrual hygiene and decrease early pregnancy.
VL - 6
IS - 4
ER -

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Author Information

Badirou Aguemon

Unit of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
Barikissou Georgia Damien

Population and Health Research Unit, Center for Training and Research for Population, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou

Unit of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin

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APA Style

Badirou Aguemon, Barikissou Georgia Damien, Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. (2021). Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World Journal of Public Health, 6(4), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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Badirou Aguemon; Barikissou Georgia Damien; Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World J. Public Health 2021, 6(4), 148-154. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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AMA Style

Badirou Aguemon, Barikissou Georgia Damien, Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou. Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin. World J Public Health. 2021;6(4):148-154. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13

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@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13,
  author = {Badirou Aguemon and Barikissou Georgia Damien and Sètondji Géraud Roméo Padonou},
  title = {Menstrual Hygiene’s and Early Pregnancy Among Adolescents, and Associated Factors in 2021, Commune of Lokossa, Benin},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {148-154},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20210604.13},
  abstract = {A poor management of menstrual hygiene and the occurrence of teenage pregnancies constitute a real public health problem in Benin. The aim of the research was to analyse the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls and to determine the prevalence of early pregnancies as well as associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 230 adolescent girls was selected by three-stage cluster sampling. Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old who had their menstruation and living in Lokossa commune were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of menarche was 14.17±1.18 years. The Kotafon was the majority ethnic group and concerned 81% of the adolescent surveyed girls. The prevalence of early pregnancy was 14.8%. Girls' level of good knowledge of menstruation was evaluated at 47.8%, the level of good practices was 17.8%. Early pregnancy is more observed among adolescent girls living in couple, those in school and those living outside the matrimonial home (p<0.0001). At the multivariate analysis, the non-indigenous girls had a three times good menstrual hygiene practices than indigenous girls (Kotafon ethnic group) with OR=7.13 [CI95% 2.20-23.13], p=0.001 and living outside the family (parents, guardians) increased the level of good menstrual hygiene practices more than seven times, OR=7.22 [CI95% 2.45-21.27], p<0.001. The absence of religious beliefs among adolescents increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 10 times compared to the presence of religious beliefs OR=10.52 [CI95% 2.83-38.46], p<0.001. Regarding access to drinking water, compared to 'sometimes' and 'never' access, 'always' access induced a higher proportion of good menstrual hygiene practices respectively by 6.25 times (OR=6.25 [CI95% 1.96-20.00]), p<0.001 and 9.09 times (OR=9.09 [CI95% 2.78-33.33], p<0.001). In addition, good menstrual hygiene knowledge increased good menstrual hygiene practices by 4.55 times OR=4.55 [CI95% 1.61-12.50], p=0.006. Strong sensitization program on menstrual hygiene practices and/or continuous access to drinking water can induce best practices on menstrual hygiene and decrease early pregnancy.},
 year = {2021}
}

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