Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge and Practices: A Comparative Analysis of Adolescent Girls with and without hearing impairment
1
Department of Medical Services, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Akure, Nigeria
2
College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2146
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Menstrual hygiene management is essential for the health, dignity, and well-being of adolescent girls. However, access to accurate information and the ability to practice proper menstrual hygiene may differ for girls with hearing impairment compared to their normal-hearing peers.
METHODS:
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent schoolgirls with impaired hearing and those with normal hearing. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of menstrual hygiene, and menstrual hygiene practices. The questionnaire was administered with the assistance of a sign language instructor to ensure accurate data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between selected variables, knowledge, and practice, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The findings revealed notable differences in menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices between the two groups. Good knowledge of menstrual hygiene was reported by 62.3% of respondents with hearing impairment compared to 95.0% among those with normal hearing. In terms of practice, 67.2% of girls with hearing impairment demonstrated negative menstrual hygiene practices, whereas 85.0% of girls with normal hearing exhibited positive practices. Class level showed a significant association with menstrual hygiene practice (χ² = 14.59, p = 0.011). Additionally, knowledge of menstrual hygiene was significantly associated with practice, with respondents having good knowledge more likely to demonstrate positive practices (χ² = 5.88, p = 0.015). Age, religion, and ethnic group were not significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practices.
CONCLUSIONS:
Adolescent girls with hearing impairment had poorer knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene compared to their normal-hearing counterparts (1). Educational level and adequate knowledge were key determinants of positive menstrual hygiene practices. There is a need for targeted, inclusive health education interventions particularly those adapted for adolescents with hearing impairment to improve menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices.
Menstrual hygiene management is essential for the health, dignity, and well-being of adolescent girls. However, access to accurate information and the ability to practice proper menstrual hygiene may differ for girls with hearing impairment compared to their normal-hearing peers.
METHODS:
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent schoolgirls with impaired hearing and those with normal hearing. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of menstrual hygiene, and menstrual hygiene practices. The questionnaire was administered with the assistance of a sign language instructor to ensure accurate data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between selected variables, knowledge, and practice, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
The findings revealed notable differences in menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices between the two groups. Good knowledge of menstrual hygiene was reported by 62.3% of respondents with hearing impairment compared to 95.0% among those with normal hearing. In terms of practice, 67.2% of girls with hearing impairment demonstrated negative menstrual hygiene practices, whereas 85.0% of girls with normal hearing exhibited positive practices. Class level showed a significant association with menstrual hygiene practice (χ² = 14.59, p = 0.011). Additionally, knowledge of menstrual hygiene was significantly associated with practice, with respondents having good knowledge more likely to demonstrate positive practices (χ² = 5.88, p = 0.015). Age, religion, and ethnic group were not significantly associated with menstrual hygiene practices.
CONCLUSIONS:
Adolescent girls with hearing impairment had poorer knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene compared to their normal-hearing counterparts (1). Educational level and adequate knowledge were key determinants of positive menstrual hygiene practices. There is a need for targeted, inclusive health education interventions particularly those adapted for adolescents with hearing impairment to improve menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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