Economic burden of period poverty: affordability, health risks and policy gaps for nigerian secondary school girls
1
Pharmacy, Faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, Enugu, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1162
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
TITLE; Economic Burden of Period Poverty: Affordability, Health risks and Policy Gaps for Nigerian Secondary School Girls.
BACKGROUND:
Period poverty refers to the indigence females face during menstruation. It includes lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, clean water and private changing spaces, compounded by stigma. These challenges, driven by economic barriers affect female education and well-being, widening gender inequality. Despite its relevance in a country where almost half the population is female, few studies have examined its economic burden and policy gaps in Nigerian schools. Against this backdrop, this study assessed affordability challenges, health risks and policy barriers among school girls.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 female students across three private secondary schools in Nsukka. About 50 students were selected from each school using a structured questionnaire on demographics, menstrual practices, affordability and school support. 145 valid responses were analysed using SPSS, using descriptive statistics. Ethical approval from the Health Research and Ethics Committee, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. [CPPM/HREC/25/UG/0002]
RESULTS:
48% of students received only 200-500 daily allowance while 31.7% received none, though pads cost 700-900 as indicated by 42.8%. 17.9% avoided buying pads due to cost and 22.1% borrowed money to buy them. 30.3% wore pads longer than 8 hours; 41.7% reused materials. 30.3% lacked private changing areas, 29% lacked disposal bins. 18.1% reported to have missed school days and 53% felt uncomfortable discussing menstruation with teachers. Key requests were menstrual education(29.7%), free pads (26.9%), and better toilets (22.1%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Financial strain, poor menstrual education and inadequate infrastructure foster period poverty. Policy interventions such as free/low cost pads, menstrual education and improved facilities are urgently needed to promote health equity, gender equality, and education continuity aligning with sustainable development goals 3, 4 and 5.
TITLE; Economic Burden of Period Poverty: Affordability, Health risks and Policy Gaps for Nigerian Secondary School Girls.
BACKGROUND:
Period poverty refers to the indigence females face during menstruation. It includes lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, clean water and private changing spaces, compounded by stigma. These challenges, driven by economic barriers affect female education and well-being, widening gender inequality. Despite its relevance in a country where almost half the population is female, few studies have examined its economic burden and policy gaps in Nigerian schools. Against this backdrop, this study assessed affordability challenges, health risks and policy barriers among school girls.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 female students across three private secondary schools in Nsukka. About 50 students were selected from each school using a structured questionnaire on demographics, menstrual practices, affordability and school support. 145 valid responses were analysed using SPSS, using descriptive statistics. Ethical approval from the Health Research and Ethics Committee, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. [CPPM/HREC/25/UG/0002]
RESULTS:
48% of students received only 200-500 daily allowance while 31.7% received none, though pads cost 700-900 as indicated by 42.8%. 17.9% avoided buying pads due to cost and 22.1% borrowed money to buy them. 30.3% wore pads longer than 8 hours; 41.7% reused materials. 30.3% lacked private changing areas, 29% lacked disposal bins. 18.1% reported to have missed school days and 53% felt uncomfortable discussing menstruation with teachers. Key requests were menstrual education(29.7%), free pads (26.9%), and better toilets (22.1%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Financial strain, poor menstrual education and inadequate infrastructure foster period poverty. Policy interventions such as free/low cost pads, menstrual education and improved facilities are urgently needed to promote health equity, gender equality, and education continuity aligning with sustainable development goals 3, 4 and 5.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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