The perceptions of female youth regarding menstruation hygiene management (MHM) in Roodeplaat, Tshwane

Abstract

Globally, people have different attitudes, beliefs and social norms pertaining to menstruation and these differences have an impact on menstruation hygiene management (MHM). This study was conducted in Roodeplaat rural community, Tshwane.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of female youth regarding MHM in Roodeplaat rural community, Tshwane. The ecological systems approach underpinned this study, as this approach focused not only on the individual, but included the influence of other external environmental factors on the behaviour of female youth. The researcher sought to understand and describe the perceptions of female youth regarding MHM, according to their daily activities or practices. A qualitative study approach was deemed appropriate for the study in addition to a feminism research paradigm. The researcher used non-probability purposive sampling with specific inclusion criteria. Five participants were purposively selected from Roodeplaat rural community, Tshwane. A semi-structured interview, with an interview schedule and voice recorder was used to collect data. The interview schedule comprised of open-ended questions to enable the researcher to explore the perceptions of female youth regarding MHM.

The researcher obtained ethics approval from the Faculty of Humanities Research Ethics Committee. The recorded interviews were transcribed and the emerging data was analysed through thematic analysis and identifying themes and sub-themes from all five participants. The research question was: What are the perceptions of female youth regarding MHM in Roodeplaat rural community, Tshwane?

The research findings generated the following themes: knowledge about reproductive health; menstruation experiences and challenges; MHM and challenges; resources and limitations; social work intervention and recommendations. Findings revealed that participants did not have much knowledge about reproductive health, resulting in a lack of understanding about menstruation and the menstruation cycle. The study further found that the female youth experienced psychosocial, socio-economic and physical challenges related to MHM; as well as the impact of environmental factors, such as lack of resources to dispose the used menstruation products. It was concluded that despite the fact that menstruation experiences and hygiene management happened uniquely to each participant; it is commonly surrounded by secrecy and myths in different societies.

Participants were able to express their experiences of MHM. It was concluded that female youth lack preparation for menstruation onset and only gain support and knowledge, once they have experienced their menarche. A lack of finances for adequate sanitary products was also a predominant challenge.

General recommendations included the need to place more focus on developing and implementing educational awareness programmes to raise MHM awareness in communities; more social workers need to be trained and appointed in communities to render these services; through community awareness programmes on MHM, social workers can empower female youth with information and knowledge regarding menstruation hygiene health and thereby improve their MHM. The aim and objectives of this study were met and the research question was answered. The researcher emphasised the need for future research on this topic in other communities and provinces with larger samples, to focus on determining possible effective ways of addressing the challenges identified amongst participants in this study regarding MHM.