Evaluation of Traditional and Modern Menstrual Care Practices Among Junior Secondary School (J.S.S) 3 Pubertal Girls in Lagos State

Abstract

All over the world, the type of menstrual care material that pubertal girls adopt during menstruation varies as a result of cultural traditions and beliefs, the source of menstruation-related conversations, and their modern understanding of menstruation. This study examined the traditional and modern menstrual hygiene materials that pubertal girls adopt during menstruation using the attitude change theory. The explanatory design using the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method was adopted for the study. The purposive sampling technique was employed in eliciting responses from two Focus Group Discussion sessions among 16 pubertal girls in J.S.S 3 in Ojo L.G.A, Lagos State. Findings revealed that pubertal girls adopt the menstrual care materials initiated by their mothers. Discussants prefer sanitary pads as their menstrual care absorbent but are also aware of tissue paper, pieces of cloth, and cotton wool. Factors that determine the traditional and modern methods of menstrual absorbent that they adopt include affordability, comfort, and their mothers’ socio-economic status. The majority of discussants are aware of menstruation cultural beliefs, but they do not believe in it even though it sometimes restrict the type of menstrual hygiene method they adopt. This study therefore recommends that mothers should provide factual menstrual information and hygienic absorbents to their pubertal daughters.