ABSTRACT:
MENSTRUAL WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICES AMONG STUDENTS IN THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTH DAYI DISTRICT, GHANA

INTRODUCTION:
Proper menstrual waste disposal (MWD) is integral to optimal menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Achieving this is however a challenge in resource-limited settings.

METHODS:
An exploratory descriptive qualitative design with phenomenological elements was used in the South Dayi District, Ghana. Data was collected in six recorded focus group discussions with students and two recorded in-depth interviews with student leaders. Thematic analysis was utilized to derive codes and themes from the verbatim transcripts.

RESULTS:
Fifty-one female students and leaders participated in the study. Their average age was 17years (standard deviation of 0.94). All students had received at least one year of senior high school education. Burning, burying, and dumping into school bins or toilets (KVIP/pit latrine) were the most mentioned modes of disposal of used menstrual materials. Practices were driven by a pervasive fear of blood use for ritual purposes and the lack of dedicated disposal facilities. Practices were influenced by a strong desire for privacy. Inadequate infrastructure intensified feelings of embarrassment and this led to self-imposed isolation. Awareness of the existence of reuseable products was limited. While economic benefit seemed obvious, there were concerns about hygienic use, given inadequacy in water availability. Reuseable pads was perceived to be a product that should be used by poor people and is outmoded.

CONCLUSIONS:
Menstrual waste disposal practices among senior high school students in the South Dayi District are the outcome of an interplay of cultural beliefs, deficient infrastructure, and stigma-avoidance. A sustainable transition to reusable products will require attention to clean water availability. Social marketing interventions may be needed to gain acceptance of reuseable products