Prevalence of proposed consequences of poor MHM (n=201)
| Per cent | N | |
|---|---|---|
| Health/comfort | ||
| Skin irritation/rashes in pelvic area during last MP (n=153)* | 54.3 | 83 |
| Itching or burning in the pelvic area (since start of the school year) (n=199) | 60.3 | 120 |
| White or green discharge (since start of the school year) (n=199) | 47.2 | 94 |
| Do you worry people can smell your MP? (yes) | 70.2 | 141 |
| Education | ||
| Does your MP ever cause you to: (n=185)* | ||
| Miss school? | 18.4 | 34 |
| Not do your homework? | 7.6 | 14 |
| School attendance at intervention follow-up (n=144) M (SD) | 81.06 | (18.58) |
| Do you avoid standing in class to answer questions on your MP? (n=198) | 64.7 | 128 |
| Do you find it difficult to concentrate at school when you have your MP? (n=198) | 51.0 | 101 |
| Reasons it is difficult to concentrate during MP (n=101) | ||
| Actual soiling | 24.8 | 25 |
| Fear of soiling | 72.3 | 73 |
| Scent | 15.8 | 16 |
| Discomfort | 49.5 | 50 |
| Actual teasing | 4.0 | 4 |
| Fear of teasing | 21.8 | 22 |
| Cramps | 54.5 | 55 |
| Psychosocial well-being | ||
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) total score M (SD) | 19.11 | (5.31) |
| Did you experience embarrassment during your last MP? (n=153)* | 45.8 | 70 |
| During your MP do you feel ashamed? | 69.2 | 139 |
| During your MP do you feel insecure? | 69.2 | 139 |
*n is lower than 201 resulted in part from iPad issues where, in about 40 cases, the appropriate page froze or failed to load, additional missing resulted from girls not providing an answer to the question.
MHM, menstrual hygiene management; MP, menstrual period.