Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano; Esther Nnennaya Umahi; Brenda Isikekpei; Kolawole Sodeinde; Sonnen Atinge; Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu; Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye; Peter Chidiebere Okorie

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano, Esther Nnennaya Umahi, Brenda Isikekpei, Kolawole Sodeinde, Sonnen Atinge, Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu, Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye, Peter Chidiebere Okorie

Published in Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 9, Issue 3)

Received: 26 June 2023 Accepted: 12 July 2023 Published: 31 July 2023

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Abstract

Grave concerns have been raised about the limitations that inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) imposes on girls, especially in developing countries. This study follows up on the previous work on the subject done in Jalingo, Nigeria by Nnennaya et al, but specifically on menstruation-associated school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Data extraction was done on the responses generated by Nnennaya et al; re-adapted for variables reflective of school absenteeism; subjected to content and comparative analyses; and extrapolated to quantify school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Appropriate remedial interventions were deduced. Menstruation-associated absenteeism led to a loss of 20% of active school-days and 13.06% decline in school-based productivity. Excuses from class to attend to MHM needs resulted to a loss of 12.5% of active class-hours/day, a loss of 3 man-hours/month, and a decline of 0.86% in school-based productivity. Menstruation-associated absenteeism imposed on girls a disadvantage in academic performance of 2.9 – 5.5% compared to boys. These losses combined with other social pressures of MHM to nudge many girls to drop out of school. Menstruation-associated school absenteeism among adolescent school girls in Jalingo was high, affected their academic performance adversely and predisposed the girls towards school drop-out. Sustainable remedies in such high resource-constrained setting include: extensive enlightenment, counseling and demonstration sessions on MHM; promoting universal access to free reusable sanitary pads; and provision of affordable OB14-CLCA type latrines in schools.

Published in	Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
Page(s)	76-82
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Girl-Child Education, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Period-Poverty, Poverty Alleviation, School Dropout, Stigmatization, Taboo, WASH

References

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APA Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano, Esther Nnennaya Umahi, Brenda Isikekpei, Kolawole Sodeinde, Sonnen Atinge, et al. (2023). Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 9(3), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

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ACS Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano; Esther Nnennaya Umahi; Brenda Isikekpei; Kolawole Sodeinde; Sonnen Atinge, et al. Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. J. Health Environ. Res. 2023, 9(3), 76-82. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

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AMA Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano, Esther Nnennaya Umahi, Brenda Isikekpei, Kolawole Sodeinde, Sonnen Atinge, et al. Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. J Health Environ Res. 2023;9(3):76-82. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11,
  author = {Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano and Esther Nnennaya Umahi and Brenda Isikekpei and Kolawole Sodeinde and Sonnen Atinge and Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu and Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye and Peter Chidiebere Okorie},
  title = {Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {76-82},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20230903.11},
  abstract = {Grave concerns have been raised about the limitations that inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) imposes on girls, especially in developing countries. This study follows up on the previous work on the subject done in Jalingo, Nigeria by Nnennaya et al, but specifically on menstruation-associated school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Data extraction was done on the responses generated by Nnennaya et al; re-adapted for variables reflective of school absenteeism; subjected to content and comparative analyses; and extrapolated to quantify school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Appropriate remedial interventions were deduced. Menstruation-associated absenteeism led to a loss of 20% of active school-days and 13.06% decline in school-based productivity. Excuses from class to attend to MHM needs resulted to a loss of 12.5% of active class-hours/day, a loss of 3 man-hours/month, and a decline of 0.86% in school-based productivity. Menstruation-associated absenteeism imposed on girls a disadvantage in academic performance of 2.9 – 5.5% compared to boys. These losses combined with other social pressures of MHM to nudge many girls to drop out of school. Menstruation-associated school absenteeism among adolescent school girls in Jalingo was high, affected their academic performance adversely and predisposed the girls towards school drop-out. Sustainable remedies in such high resource-constrained setting include: extensive enlightenment, counseling and demonstration sessions on MHM; promoting universal access to free reusable sanitary pads; and provision of affordable OB14-CLCA type latrines in schools.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings
AU  - Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano
AU  - Esther Nnennaya Umahi
AU  - Brenda Isikekpei
AU  - Kolawole Sodeinde
AU  - Sonnen Atinge
AU  - Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu
AU  - Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye
AU  - Peter Chidiebere Okorie
Y1  - 2023/07/31
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 76
EP  - 82
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
AB  - Grave concerns have been raised about the limitations that inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) imposes on girls, especially in developing countries. This study follows up on the previous work on the subject done in Jalingo, Nigeria by Nnennaya et al, but specifically on menstruation-associated school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Data extraction was done on the responses generated by Nnennaya et al; re-adapted for variables reflective of school absenteeism; subjected to content and comparative analyses; and extrapolated to quantify school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Appropriate remedial interventions were deduced. Menstruation-associated absenteeism led to a loss of 20% of active school-days and 13.06% decline in school-based productivity. Excuses from class to attend to MHM needs resulted to a loss of 12.5% of active class-hours/day, a loss of 3 man-hours/month, and a decline of 0.86% in school-based productivity. Menstruation-associated absenteeism imposed on girls a disadvantage in academic performance of 2.9 – 5.5% compared to boys. These losses combined with other social pressures of MHM to nudge many girls to drop out of school. Menstruation-associated school absenteeism among adolescent school girls in Jalingo was high, affected their academic performance adversely and predisposed the girls towards school drop-out. Sustainable remedies in such high resource-constrained setting include: extensive enlightenment, counseling and demonstration sessions on MHM; promoting universal access to free reusable sanitary pads; and provision of affordable OB14-CLCA type latrines in schools.
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano

Department of Environmental Health Science, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria
Esther Nnennaya Umahi

Department of Public Health, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria
Brenda Isikekpei

Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
Kolawole Sodeinde

Department of Community Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilesan-Remo, Nigeria
Sonnen Atinge

Taraba State Health Services Management Board, Jalingo, Nigeria
Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Precision Laboratories, Awka, Nigeria
Peter Chidiebere Okorie

Department of Dental Health, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, Nigeria

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano, Esther Nnennaya Umahi, Brenda Isikekpei, Kolawole Sodeinde, Sonnen Atinge, et al. (2023). Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 9(3), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

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ACS Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano; Esther Nnennaya Umahi; Brenda Isikekpei; Kolawole Sodeinde; Sonnen Atinge, et al. Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. J. Health Environ. Res. 2023, 9(3), 76-82. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

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AMA Style

Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano, Esther Nnennaya Umahi, Brenda Isikekpei, Kolawole Sodeinde, Sonnen Atinge, et al. Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings. J Health Environ Res. 2023;9(3):76-82. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11,
  author = {Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano and Esther Nnennaya Umahi and Brenda Isikekpei and Kolawole Sodeinde and Sonnen Atinge and Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu and Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye and Peter Chidiebere Okorie},
  title = {Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {9},
  number = {3},
  pages = {76-82},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20230903.11},
  abstract = {Grave concerns have been raised about the limitations that inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) imposes on girls, especially in developing countries. This study follows up on the previous work on the subject done in Jalingo, Nigeria by Nnennaya et al, but specifically on menstruation-associated school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Data extraction was done on the responses generated by Nnennaya et al; re-adapted for variables reflective of school absenteeism; subjected to content and comparative analyses; and extrapolated to quantify school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Appropriate remedial interventions were deduced. Menstruation-associated absenteeism led to a loss of 20% of active school-days and 13.06% decline in school-based productivity. Excuses from class to attend to MHM needs resulted to a loss of 12.5% of active class-hours/day, a loss of 3 man-hours/month, and a decline of 0.86% in school-based productivity. Menstruation-associated absenteeism imposed on girls a disadvantage in academic performance of 2.9 – 5.5% compared to boys. These losses combined with other social pressures of MHM to nudge many girls to drop out of school. Menstruation-associated school absenteeism among adolescent school girls in Jalingo was high, affected their academic performance adversely and predisposed the girls towards school drop-out. Sustainable remedies in such high resource-constrained setting include: extensive enlightenment, counseling and demonstration sessions on MHM; promoting universal access to free reusable sanitary pads; and provision of affordable OB14-CLCA type latrines in schools.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Menstruation-Associated Absenteeism Among School Girls in Jalingo: Cost-Effective Interventions for Resource-Constrained Settings
AU  - Emmanuel Chukwuma Obiano
AU  - Esther Nnennaya Umahi
AU  - Brenda Isikekpei
AU  - Kolawole Sodeinde
AU  - Sonnen Atinge
AU  - Emmanuel Ogechukwu Okondu
AU  - Hyacinth Chukwudi Okoye
AU  - Peter Chidiebere Okorie
Y1  - 2023/07/31
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 76
EP  - 82
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20230903.11
AB  - Grave concerns have been raised about the limitations that inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) imposes on girls, especially in developing countries. This study follows up on the previous work on the subject done in Jalingo, Nigeria by Nnennaya et al, but specifically on menstruation-associated school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Data extraction was done on the responses generated by Nnennaya et al; re-adapted for variables reflective of school absenteeism; subjected to content and comparative analyses; and extrapolated to quantify school absenteeism and its impact on academic output. Appropriate remedial interventions were deduced. Menstruation-associated absenteeism led to a loss of 20% of active school-days and 13.06% decline in school-based productivity. Excuses from class to attend to MHM needs resulted to a loss of 12.5% of active class-hours/day, a loss of 3 man-hours/month, and a decline of 0.86% in school-based productivity. Menstruation-associated absenteeism imposed on girls a disadvantage in academic performance of 2.9 – 5.5% compared to boys. These losses combined with other social pressures of MHM to nudge many girls to drop out of school. Menstruation-associated school absenteeism among adolescent school girls in Jalingo was high, affected their academic performance adversely and predisposed the girls towards school drop-out. Sustainable remedies in such high resource-constrained setting include: extensive enlightenment, counseling and demonstration sessions on MHM; promoting universal access to free reusable sanitary pads; and provision of affordable OB14-CLCA type latrines in schools.
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
ER  -

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