TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................i
COPYRIGHT..................................................................................................................................ii
DECLARATION............................................................................................................................iii
APPROVAL FOR SUBMISSION..................................................................................................iv
DEAN’S APPROVAL...................................................................................................................iv
DEDICATION.................................................................................................................................v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..............................................................................................................vi
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES...............................................................................................xi
LIST OF ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................xii
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................xiii
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................1
1.2Background.................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Statement of the Problem...........................................................................................................3
1.4 Purpose of the Study..................................................................................................................4
1.5 Specific objectives.....................................................................................................................4
1.6 Research questions.....................................................................................................................5
1.7 Justification for the study...........................................................................................................5
1.7.1 Nursing practice......................................................................................................................5
1.7.2 Nursing educators...................................................................................................................5
1.7.3 Nursing researchers................................................................................................................5
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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Knowledge about menstruation.................................................................................................6
2.3 Practices on Menstrual hygiene management............................................................................8
2.4 Challenges faced by girls towards MHM..................................................................................9
2.4.1 Lack of adequate sanitation facilities in schools....................................................................9
2.4.2 Inadequate feminine hygiene products.................................................................................10
2.4.3 Financial barriers..................................................................................................................11
2.4.4 School absenteeism and reduced performance.....................................................................12
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY......................................................................................13
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................13
3.2 Study Design and rationale......................................................................................................13
3.3 Study setting and rationale.......................................................................................................13
3.4 Study Population......................................................................................................................14
3.4.1 Sample size determination....................................................................................................14
3.4.2 Sampling procedure..............................................................................................................15
3.4.3 Inclusion criteria...................................................................................................................16
3.4.4 Exclusion criteria..................................................................................................................16
3.5 Definition of variables.............................................................................................................16
3.5.1 Dependent variables..............................................................................................................16
3.5.2 Independent variables...........................................................................................................16
3.6 Research instruments...............................................................................................................17
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3.6.1 Pre-testing of the research Instrument..................................................................................17
3.7 Data collection procedures......................................................................................................17
3.7.1 Data management and quality control..................................................................................18
3.7.2 Data procesing and analysis..................................................................................................18
3.8 Ethical considerations..............................................................................................................18
3.9 Anticipated study limitations...................................................................................................18
3.10 Dissemination of results........................................................................................................19
CHAPTER FOUR: THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY...............................................................20
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................20
4.2 Social – Demographic Information.........................................................................................20
4.2: Knowledge about Menstruation..............................................................................................22
4.2: Hygienic Practices during Menstruation................................................................................26
4.3: Challenges faced by School Girls during menstruation.........................................................28
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS.........................30
5.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................30
5.2 Social Demographic Information............................................................................................30
5.3 Discussion of findings.............................................................................................................31
5.3.1 Knowledge of primary school girls about menstruation.......................................................31
5.3.2 Practices during menstrual hygiene management.................................................................33
5.3.3 Challenges faced by school girls during menstruation.........................................................34
5.4 Conclusions..............................................................................................................................36
5.5 Recommendations....................................................................................................................37
ABSTRACT Menstrual Hygiene Management is an issue interested in Gender Equality and Development sector. Globally, particularly in developing countries, girls reach menarche, rules are applied on how they should conduct themselves. Lack of appropriate products and facilities have been previously cited as potentially contributing to school girls’ absenteeism. The project was carried out in three upper classes of KCPS among girls aged 10-15 years. A cross-sectional descriptive method with quantitative questionnaire was employed. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 software package. In total 90 respondents participated aged 10-15 years, (60%) were Catholics. Majority 93.3% of girls said that menstruation is a physiological process. However, 3.3% said that menstruation is a pathological process. The highest percentage of girls (70%) reported normally use pieces of cloth during menstruation. Seventy percent (70%) of the girls missed some days of school because of menstruation, (86.6%) of girls missed due to lack of money. Furthermore, this study showed that some girls need knowledge on menstruation as a normal physiological process not a pathological process or curse from God. Schooling should be comfortable and positive experience, in an environment favorable to learning. Such things are made difficult for girls with old cloths, causing discomfort, worry and risks associated with poor hygiene. This affects their attendance, concentration, self-esteem and ability to carry usually. Menstruation is a natural part of a woman’s life and girls should not have to suffer in any way because of it.