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

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

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), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

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

References

[1]	Davis, J., Macintyre, A., Odagiri, M., Suriastini, W., Cordova, A., Huggett, C. Menstrual hygiene management and school absenteeism among adolescent students in Indonesia: evidence from a cross-sectional school-based survey. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2018, 23 (12), 1350–1363. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13159
[2]	Geertz, A., Iyer, L., Kasen, P., Mazzola, F., & Petercon, K. An Opportunity to Address Menstrual Health and Gender Equity. FSG: Boston, MA, USA. 2016. FSG Reimagining Social Change,1–48. https://www.fsg.org/resource/opportunity-address-menstrual-health-and-gender-equity/
[3]	House, S., Mahon, T., & Cavill, S. Menstrual hygiene matters: a resource for improving menstrual hygiene around the world. Reprod Health Matters, 2012, 21 (41), 257–259.
[4]	Sumpter, C., & Torondel, B.A Systematic Review of the Health and Social Effects of Menstrual Hygiene Management. PLoS ONE, 2013, 8 (4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062004 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0062004
[5]	Population Reference Bureau. 2013 World Population Data Sheet. Washington, DC: Population Reference Bureau. https://www.prb.org/resources/2013-world-population-data-sheet/
[6]	Tegegne, T. K., & Sisay, M. M. Menstrual hygiene management and school absenteeism among female adolescent students in Northeast Ethiopia. BMC Public Health, 14 (1), 2014. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1118
[7]	Sommer, M., Torondel, B., Hennegan, J., Phillips-Howard, P. A., Mahon, T., Motivans, A., et al. How addressing menstrual health and hygiene may enable progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. Global Health Action, 2021, 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1920315
[8]	Tjon AT. Menstrual Hygiene: A Neglected Condition for the Achievement of Several Millennium Development Goals. Zoetermeer: Europe External Policy Advisors; Europe External Policy Advisors, 2007, 1–22. https://archive.ids.ac.uk/bridge/global-resources/resource/A72821.html
[9]	World Bank. Toolkit on Hygiene, Sanitation & Water in Schools: Gender Roles and Impact. Washington DC: TheWorld Bank Group. 2005. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/339381468315534731/pdf/410300PAPER0Hygiene0toolkit01PUBLIC1.pdf Accessed September 18, 2022, @ 16.40 WAT.
[10]	Byford, T. Water, sanitation and hygiene standards for schools in low-cost settings. Int J Environ Stud, Volume 71, 2014 - Issue 3 pp. 409-410. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2014.913878
[11]	Oster, E., & Thornton, R. Menstruation, sanitary products, and school attendance: evidence from a randomized evaluation. Am Econ J Appl Econ, 3 (1), 2011. pp 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.3.1.91
[12]	Vashisht, A., Pathak, R., Agarwalla, R., Patavegar, B. N., & Panda, M. School absenteeism during menstruation amongst adolescent girls in Delhi, India. J Family & Community Med, 25 (3), 2018. 163–168. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_161_17
[13]	Chinyama, J., Chipungu, J., Rudd, C., Mwale, M., Verstraete, L., Sikamo, C. et al. Menstrual hygiene management in rural schools of Zambia: a descriptive study of knowledge, experiences and challenges faced by schoolgirls. BMC Public Health, 19, 16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6360-2
[14]	Nnennaya, E. U., Atinge, S., Dogara, S. P., & Ubandoma, R. J. Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent school girls in Taraba State, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 21 (2), 2021. pp 842–851. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i2.45
[15]	Auceijio EM and Romano TF. Assessing the effect of school days and absence on test score performance. Economics of Education Review Vol 55, Dec 2016. Pp 70-87. https//doi-org/10.1016/j.econedurev. 2016.08.007.
[16]	Jessica D, Alison M, Mitsunori O, Wayan S et al. Menstrual hygiene management and school absenteeism among adolescent students in Indonesia: evidence from a cross-sectional school-based survey. Tropical Medicine & International Health, vol 23, Issue 2. Dec. 2018. pp. 1350–1363. doi/10.111/TMI.13159. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tmi.13159
[17]	Sivakami M, Maria Van Eijk A, Thakur H, Kakade N, et al. Effects of menstruation on girls and their schooling, and facilitators of menstrual hygiene management in schools: survey in government schools in three states in India. Journal of Global Health. 2019 June: 9 (1). doi: 10.7189/jogh.09. 010408.
[18]	Ajari, E.; Abass, T.; Ilesanmi, E.; Adebisi, Y. Cost Implications of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Nigeria and Its Associated Impacts. Preprints.org2021, 2021050349. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202105.0349.v1
[19]	Uche, R. D. Dropout Syndrome Among Girls in Secondary Schools and Human Resources Development in Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 2013 vol.4. pp 25 – 30. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Dropout-Syndrome-among-Girls-in-Secondary-Schools-Uche/b01a5dbb220efd18afbabe48b60b3344c01b35c4
[20]	Isamotu I. UNICEF: 1.3 Million Girls Drop Out of Junior Schools Annually in Nigeria. DAILY TRUST, October 11, 2021. https://dailytrust.com/unicef-1-3-million-girls-drop-out-of-junior-schools-annually-in-nigeria/ Accessed June 19, 2022@ 9.55 WAT.
[21]	Afisunlu, F. Nigeria has the highest number of school drop-outs- UN. Education Column, Daily Post, June12, 2013. https://dailypost.ng/2013/06/12/nigeria-has-highest-number-of-school-drop-outs-un/ Access June 19, 2022 @ 9.45 WAT.
[22]	Unicef. An Assessment of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Secondary Schools. Anambra, Katsina and Osun States, Nigeria 2015. Unicef. https://unicef.org/nigeria/media/1256/file/Assessments-menstrual-hygiene-management-in-secondary-schools-2.jpg.pdf Accessed December 13 2022 @ 2.45 WAT.
[23]	Daily Trust. Dealing with period poverty in Nigeria. Daily Trust, 26 June, 2022. https://dailytrust.com/dealing-with-period-poverty-in-nigeria/ Accessed February 2023 @ 16.35 WAT.
[24]	BBC. Sanitary Pad: How High Cost Dey Affect Poor Household. BBC Online. 9 May 2019. By Igonikon K, Abu D, Ikpoyi Ufuoma G. https//www.bbc.com/pidgin/media-48211797. Accessed March 14, 2023 @ 23.10 WAT.
[25]	MACRO TRENDS. Nigeria Literacy Rate 1991-2022. https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/NGA/nigeria/literacy-rate Accessed June 26, 2022 @ 22.05 WAT.
[26]	Legit.ng. Literacy rate in Nigeria by states. 2022. https:///www.legitng/1161372-literacy-rate-in-nigeria-by-states-html. Accessed June 26, 2022 @ 22.08 WAT.
[27]	Odunsi W. How Women Can Avoid Falling Victims of Ritualists - Group. Daily Post, March 27, 2019. https://dailypost.ng/2019/03/27/women-can-avoid-falling-victims-ritualists -groups/ Accessed November 16, 2022 @ 17. 20 WAT.
[28]	UNFPA. 5 ways the world is changing how it sees menstruation. News. 26 May 2022. https://www.unfpa.org/news/5-ways-world-changing-how-it-sees-menstruation. Accessed June 30, 2022 @ 08.45 WAT.
[29]	World Bank. Deep Structural Reforms Guided by Evidence are Urgently Needed to Lift Millions of Nigerians Out of Poverty. Press Release No. 2022/052/AFW. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/03/21/afw-deep-structural-reforms-guided-by-evidence-are-urgently-neede-to-lift-millions-of-nigerians-out-of-poverty. Accessed June 18, 2022 @ 9.40 WAT.
[30]	Adegboyega, A. Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 33.3% -Highest in Over 13 Years. PREMIUM TIMES. March 16, 2021. https://www/premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/449150-nigerias-unemployment-rate-rises-to-33-3-highest-in-over-13-years-html. Accessed June 29, 2022 @ 7.10 WAT.
[31]	Olawoyin, O. Updated: 83 Million Nigerians Live in Poverty - NBS. PREMIUM TIMES, May 4, 2020. https://premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/391324-updated-83-million-nigerias-live-in-poverty-nbs.html Accessed June 12, 2022 @ 9.10 WAT.
[32]	Anker Research Network. Rural. Nigeria 2020. Anker Living Income Reference Value for Rural Nigeria 2020. Anker Research Network & Global Living Wage Coalition. p.3 https://globallivingwage.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rural-Nigeria-LI-Reference-Value.pdf Accessed February 13, 2023 @ 12.10 WAT.
[33]	Unicef. No more limits: Girls learns how to make their own sanitary pads. Unicef Nigeria, 28 May 2018. https/www.unicef.org/Nigeria/stories/no-more-limits-girls. learn-how-to-make-their-own-sanitary-pads. Accessed June 25, 2022 @ 17.50 WAT.
[34]	Tribune. Girls Child Day: Rotary Club begins to subsidize sanitary pads. NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Online. October 12, 2021. https://tribuneonline.com/girl-child-day-rotary-club-begins-to-subsidize-sanitary-pads/ Accessed January 17, 2023 @ 22.15 WAT.

Cite This Article

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

Copy | Download

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

Copy | Download

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  -

Copy | Download

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

Download PDF

Sections

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

Copy | Download

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

Copy | Download

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  -

Copy | Download