Examining Socio-Economic and Parental Influences on Menstrual Hygiene Practices and Knowledge Accuracy: Implications for Counselling, Policy and Education

Introduction: The study addresses the factors influencing menstrual hygiene practices and knowledge accuracy among respondents, focusing on the roles of socio-economic status and parental influence by testing null hypotheses that were formulated. Method: This study used a descriptive study design and had a sample size of 384. The sample size was found through simple random sampling, purposeful sampling, and stratified sampling. Data was gathered through a structured questionnaire that was made to fit the answers of the respondents. Data Analysis: The research used SPSS 20.0 to analyse data, including percentages, means, standard deviation, independent-samples t-tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A t-test comparison of knowledge scores between respondents informed by parents and those informed by schools showed significant differences. And the Logistic regression analysis revealed significant socio-economic factors influencing menstrual hygiene practices. Conclusion: This study offers detailed insights into the intricate relationship between socio-economic determinants, parental influence, and menstrual hygiene behaviours among adolescent females. The results indicate the significance of socioeconomic position in influencing individuals’ menstrual hygiene management. This illustrates the significance of implementing interventions tailored to each socioeconomic category. Recommendations: Organize workshops and seminars for parents to improve their understanding of menstruation and equip them to provide accurate information to their children. And engage advocacy for menstrual health education to be recognized as an essential component of national health and education policies.