The influence of peers on adolescents’ use of sanitary pads- a Case of Bushenyi -Ishaka municipality schools.
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Date
2013-12
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University. School of Health Sciences Western Campus
Abstract
Background: It is documented that use of sanitary pads is higher in urban area and the choice of
sanitary protection is a personal decision. Good hygienic practices are essential during
menstruation and girls need access to clean, absorbent sanitary products and reliable information
for good health. The most important reference groups in adolescence are the parents and peers,
and it is well recognized that peers become increasingly important during this period.
Objectives: To assess the influence of peers on the use of pads, the type of pads used and the
hygienic habits of adolescents during their periods.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from November –
December 2013 on 150 school going adolescent girls in Ishaka Bushenyi municipality. A self
administered standardized pretested questionnaire was used in the study.
Results: 97.9% of the girls were aware of menstruation and mother was the major source of
information. 95.9% of the girls had also heard about sanitary pads from majorly their mothers
and majority – 97.2% were actually using sanitary pads, commonly influenced by their peers and
mothers. As a result of their experience with pads, 79.6% had encouraged one of their peers to
use sanitary pads and. The most commonly used sanitary pad was Always (51.1%) of the girls.
68.8% reported using 3-4 sanitary pads in a single day to avoid smelling and the pit latrine was
the commonest disposal place for sanitary pads.
Conclusion: As much as mother was the major source of information for the girls, peers affected
the handling of pads almost equally with mother. The mothers and girls thus need to be equipped
with accurate and reliable information so that adolescents practice safe menstrual habits.
Description
A research report submitted to the faculty of medicine and Dentistry in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery
Keywords
Peers on adolescents’