Determinants of menstrual hygiene practices among in-school adolescent girls in Osun State, Nigeria: a comparative descriptive cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence in girls has been recognized as a special period that signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood. This study was conducted to assess the determinants of menstrual hygiene practices among in-school adolescent girls in private and public secondary schools in Osun State, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study (comparative) involving 650 in-school secondary students (public and private), were selected via multistage stratified sampling technique, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Relevant data was collected via a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Appropriate univariate analysis using frequency tables and charts, while bivariate analysis was done using a chi-square table. Multivariate analysis was done using logistics regression. RESULTS: The modal age range was middle adolescence (14-16 years old). There was a statistically significant difference between public and private school respondents in terms of age menarche: More students in private schools (81.8%) had their menarche before the age of 13 compared to those in public schools (73.2%). More respondents in private secondary schools (67.1%) have good menstrual hygiene practices compared to their counterparts (55.4%). Almost all the respondents in public secondary schools and private secondary schools have good management on menstruation Multivariate analysis, more of the respondents in junior classes among public school respondents were approximately two times less likely (1/0.506 = 1.97) to have good hygiene practice compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings in this study, it could be concluded that more of the respondents in private secondary schools had good hygiene practices compared to their counterparts. Hence, the need for all stakeholders to intensify efforts to provide accurate and adequate information as well as enable the environment to promote menstrual hygiene practices among in-school adolescent girls.