Title
TEACHING MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE TO YOUNG WOMEN IN EASTERN UGANDA WITH REUSABLE MENSTRUAL PADS
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Master's report
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Science Education (MS)
College, School or Department Name
Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences
Advisor
Bradley Baltensperger
Abstract
In order to identify the impact of teaching menstrual health and hygiene with reusable menstrual pads on knowledge retention and school attendance, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from three rural schools in three districts of eastern Uganda: Amuria, Bukedea, and Ngora. Research techniques employed were preliminary and post surveys of 85 young women; average age 16.9 years. Findings include positive and negative results. Participants’ feelings of normalcy and comfort increased and participants had improved understanding of sexual climax and appropriate menstrual management strategies. There was no statistically significant impact of teaching on topics of sexual intercourse or pregnancy. The impact of reusable menstrual pad sanitary technology on school attendance was negative as more young women reported missing up to a full day of school during their menstrual period (χ2 (3, 73) = 7.81, p = 0.05). Study limitations are discussed and future work is suggested.
Recommended Citation
Frankenstein-Markon, Stacey L., "TEACHING MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE TO YOUNG WOMEN IN EASTERN UGANDA WITH REUSABLE MENSTRUAL PADS", Master's report, Michigan Technological University, 2013.