CHAPER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1: BACKGROUND

Menstruation is a naturally occurring physiological phenomenon in adolescent girls and per-menopausal women (Biran A et al 20122015). According to WHO and UNICEF, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) involves Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. Globally, about 52% of the female population is of reproductive age, meaning menstruation is part of their normal life and menstrual hygiene is therefore an essential part of basic hygienic practices (House, et al Mahon & Cavill, 2012) Menstruation necessitates the availability of material resources to absorb or collect menstrual blood, facilitate personal hygiene and dispose of waste, ideally with adequate privacy (Sahin M.  2015). Women and girls in low income settings have low awareness on hygienic practices and lack culturally appropriate materials for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices (Sumpter C,  et al, 2011; Arumugam et al, 2014).

Menstruation, though a natural process, has been, and still is, dealt with in secrecy (Warenius, et al 2007; Patkar et al, 2004; Mahon et al 2010). Mainly this is due to cultural taboos related to sexuality and reproductive health. This demonstrates a poor knowledge and information about reproductive functions and reproductive health and associated problems amongst adolescents (Warenius et al, 2007; Mahon et al 2010). Adolescence is understood as a stage in the lives of females, which indicates their transition from girlhood to womanhood. This also constitutes an important milestone, which is marked by the onset of menarche (Dhingra, et al 2009; Nagar & Aimol, 2011). From this stage onwards until menopause, reproductive health and menstrual hygiene are important aspects in the lives of females. There is however not much attention paid to the youth and women specific health needs, notwithstanding that doing so would lay a good foundation for their physical and mental well-being and their ability to cope with the heavy demands of reproductive health later in life (Narayan, et al 2001; Nagar et al, 2011; House, Mahon et al 2012). In a worst case scenario, the latter may include unwanted pregnancies, urinary tract infections (UTI) and pelvic inflammatory diseases (MoH, 2000; Omidvar et al 2010; Narayan et al, 2001). Important aspects of reproductive health services, which include information dissemination, guidance and support, are challenging responsibilities for the health care and education systems in Cameroon. Warenius et al. (2007) also found that gender norms and values related to culture and religion are influential barriers to communication on reproductive health issues among youth in the Cameroon society. Menstrual hygiene, which refers to the effective management of menstrual bleeding by women and girls, is an important aspect of reproductive health, which if not handled too appropriately can cause infections of the urinary tract, pelvic inflammatory diseases and vaginal thrush, as well as bad odor, soiled garments and ultimately shame, leading to infringement on the girls’ dignity (Oche et al, 2012).

1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Menstrual hygiene is an issue that every woman of reproductive age is faced with in Cameroon, BUEA new lay out community. Youths and women  in Cameroon are insufficiently informed about reproductive health in general and in particular about the process of menstruation as well as the physical and psychological changes associated with puberty and coming of age. In Cameroon, the issue of menstruation is rarely mentioned publicly, due to cultural taboos. Furthermore there is no mandate in the Cameroonian educational institutions to help girls in managing their menstruation. Neither are there gender-friendly school toilets, nor is there readiness on the part of the teachers to assist menstruating girls through the provision of advice or information (Warenius et al, 2007). Due to the lack of knowledge on menstrual hygiene and cultural background surrounding menstruation in Cameroon, most women get infected at the end of their periods. Thus it is necessary for more research to be done in other to educate the masses.

1.3 GOAL OF STUDY

With the result gotten from the study, it may affect the community positively in such a way that educating the community about menstrual hygiene will help reduce menstrual infection in the community and improve knowledge practices on sanitary

1.4 OBJECTIVE

1.4.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to assess the Knowledge, Altitude and Practice on Menstrual Hygiene Amongst the Young girls and women age 12 and above Molyko-Buea Community.

1.4.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

• To assess the knowledge of the Young girls and women in menstrual hygiene management.
• To assess the attitude of the Young girls and women toward menstrual hygiene.
• To evaluate the practice of Young girls and women on menstrual hygiene.

1.4.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• Are Young girls and women knowledgeable enough on menstrual hygiene?
• What attitude do Young girls and women possess toward menstrual hygiene?
• What practices do Young girls and women undertake on menstrual hygiene?

1.5 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Knowledge: it refers to the verbalization of learned information and familiarity with fact or truth regarding menstrual hygiene.

Attitude: it indicates the opinion and belief regarding menstrual hygiene.

Practices: These are ways or majors use regarding menstrual hygiene

Menstruation: it refers to the monthly discharge of blood through the vagina and other substances from the uterus in non-pregnant adult females.

Menstrual hygiene: Effective management of menstrual bleeding or blood by women and girls. Or it the hygienic practices of women which are to be maintained during the every 28days of menstrual cycles.

Menarche: The first menstrual period, or the first menstrual bleeding indicating transition from girlhood to womanhood Adolescent: Transitional stage of physical and psychological human development from puberty to adulthood.

Health: A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Taboos: Vehement prohibition of an action/behavior based on the belief that such action/behavior is contradictory to social-cultural norms. Violation of such norms is punishable.