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

Abstract

Menstruation is an essential stage of any woman’s life and is a natural process of womanhood. This process requires knowledge, education, and necessary material to ease the experience of menstruation; however, these aspects are not always available or easily accessible. Menstruation is a phenomenon that happens globally, however research on menstruation and the perception linked to it is an unknow spheres. Previous studies have focussed intensely on the phenomenon of menstruation. This phenomenon has not received the same attention in South Africa. The primary purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of female youth regarding MHM in Roodeplaat, Tshwane. The first objective was to conceptualise and contextualise female reproductive health, the menstrual cycle, and MHM. The second objective was to explore and describe the source and experience of sexual reproductive health education among female youth in Roodeplaat. The third objective was to explore and describe the experiences of female youth regarding their menstruation in Roodeplaat. The fourth objective was to explore and describe the challenges of female youth regarding MHM in Roodeplaat. The fifth objective was to explore and describe resources and support available for female youth related to MHM in Roodeplaat. The last objective was to suggest social work intervention strategies for menstrual hygiene management for female youth. The approach used in this research study was the qualitative approach where five female youth persons were interviewed. The research was primarily interested in the perception of female youth regarding menstruation and MHM, as well as the challenges and adversities the participants encountered; therefore, the qualitative research approach was suitable for the study.

The research results firstly indicated that female youth in the Roodeplaat community have mixed perceptions of menstruation and MHM and demonstrated a lack of knowledge. Secondly, close collaboration between relevant stakeholders such as government, NGOs, CBOs, private sector, healthcare workers, social workers, teachers and policymakers is required.

In conclusion, the study focuses on the perception of South African female youth in the City of Tshwane and how they experience menstruation and MHM.

It is, therefore recommended that further studies be done, focussing on menstruation and MHM in other provinces and secondly that other studies should be performed to focus on the perception of male youth regarding menstruation and MHM