Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards proper menstrual waste disposal among female students at Kampala School of Health Sciences, Buloba Campus, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/te0snw60Keywords:
Knowledge, Menstrual Waste Disposal, Female Students, Kampala School of Health Sciences, Wakiso DistrictAbstract
Background.
Menstrual waste disposal is a significant aspect in every female’s life; it impacts the environment and the overall health of society. This study assesses the Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards proper menstrual waste disposal among female students at Kampala School of Health Sciences, Buloba Campus, Wakiso District.
Method.
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 50 female students of KSHS Buloba campus. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants, whereas data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done manually using tally sheets, pens, and paper, entered in Excel computer programs, and finally presented using tables and figures.
Results
The majority of respondents 62% were aged between 15 and 24 years, and 50% were from the Buganda region. Participants showed poor knowledge of proper menstrual waste disposal, with 64% reporting that they had never heard of the concept. Respondents exhibited generally positive attitudes toward proper menstrual waste management. All participants (100%) agreed that improper disposal poses health risks, 36% indicated that used menstrual materials are a nuisance in society, 24% believed that poor disposal could lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 16% associated it with environmental pollution. Furthermore, 80% of the respondents acknowledged the existence of cultural beliefs influencing menstrual waste disposal practices.
Conclusion
There were Poor menstrual waste disposal practices among the respondents. Most participants used disposable sanitary pads as menstrual absorbents and commonly disposed of them in pit latrines. A majority also reported experiencing challenges when disposing of menstrual waste.
Recommendation.
The government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, and the Ministry of Education and Sports, should organize more public awareness sessions to inform people about proper menstrual waste disposal and its importance.
References
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