The Relationship between Household Sanitation and Women’s Experience of Menstrual Hygiene: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Julie Hennegan, Linnea Zimmerman, Alexandra K. Shannon, Natalie G. Exum, Funmilola OlaOlorun, Elizabeth Omoluabi and Kellogg J. Schwab
Additional contact information
Julie Hennegan: The Water Institute, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Linnea Zimmerman: Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Alexandra K. Shannon: Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Natalie G. Exum: The Water Institute, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Funmilola OlaOlorun: Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Queen Elizabeth Road, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
Elizabeth Omoluabi: Center for Research Evaluation Resources and Development, 17 Ajanaku Estate, Ile-Ife 220005, Nigeria
Kellogg J. Schwab: The Water Institute, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-19

Abstract: Global efforts to improve sanitation have emphasized the needs of women and girls. Managing menstruation is one such need, yet there is scarce research capturing current practices. This study investigated the relationships between household sanitation and women’s experience of menstrual management. Secondary analyses were undertaken on data from 1994 women and girls collected through the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 survey in Kaduna, Nigeria. In multivariable models, women had higher odds of using the main household sanitation facility for menstrual management when they had access to a basic (OR = 1.76 95%CI 1.26–2.46) or limited (OR = 1.63 95%CI 1.08–2.48) sanitation facility, compared to an unimproved facility. Women with no household sanitation facility had higher odds of using their sleeping area (OR = 3.56 95%CI 2.50–5.06) or having no facility for menstrual management (OR = 9.86 95%CI 5.76–16.87) than women with an unimproved sanitation facility. Menstrual management locations were associated with ratings of their characteristics. Safely managed or basic sanitation facilities were not rated more favorably than unimproved facilities in privacy (OR = 1.02 95%CI 0.70–1.48), safety (OR = 1.45 95%CI 0.98–2.15), access to a lock (OR = 0.93 95%CI 0.62–1.37), or soap and water (OR = 1.04 95%CI 0.70–1.56). Women using their sleeping area had more favorable perceptions of their environment. Findings suggest household sanitation influences women’s choices for menstrual management, but that existing indicators for improvement are not sensitive to menstrual needs.

Keywords: menstrual hygiene; sanitation; women’s health; menstrual health; cross-sectional survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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