Is Sanitary Pad Provision in School Enough to Manage Menstrual Health and Hygiene of Adolescent Girls in Nepal?

Shrinkhala Shrestha, Kathmandu University, School of Medical Sciences
Ritu Manandhar, Dhulikhel Hospital

Menstrual Health and Hygiene needs remain underprioritized, and adolescent schoolgirls are not able to meet their menstrual needs. In Nepal, free sanitary pads are distributed in schools. However, there are multiple issues related to menstrual health and hygiene among adolescents. So, the study aims to highlight the experience of mensural health and hygiene problems among adolescent girls. Eleven schools from rural areas were selected. In those schools before starting the educational session on menstrual hygiene, 381 schoolgirls were interviewed on their menstrual health and hygiene issues. The mean age of adolescent girls is 14.4±1.3 years. About menstruation, 59.6% of them had not heard before menarche. The main source of information is their mothers (34.6%). Regarding the first experience, 53.6% of them felt bad about it. Only 59.1% used clothes during the menstruation. 60.4% of them had experienced some pain during menstruation. In school, 61.7% had access to the toilet and 61.9% had water. On their menstruation, 54.8% had restrictions religiously, followed by work, play outside, and food they eat. Progress has been made, but still, basic sanitation facilities, menstrual materials, information, and services are missing among schoolgirls required for adolescent girls.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population Policies, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See paper.