The Socio-Cultural Construction of Menstruation in the Ghanaian Context: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Parents, Teachers, and Adolescent Girls

Sitsofe Gbogbo (), Israel Wuresah, Emmanuel Gbogbo, Wisdom Kudzo Axame, Priscilla Klutse, Robert Kokou Dowou, Sarah Odi Mantey, Sarah Abena Yeome Ayitey, Ishmael Boateng, Paramount Eli Nelson, Nuworza Kugbey, Victor Christian Korley Doku, Julie Hennegan, Frank Baiden and Fred Newton Binka
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Sitsofe Gbogbo: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Israel Wuresah: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Emmanuel Gbogbo: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Wisdom Kudzo Axame: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Priscilla Klutse: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Robert Kokou Dowou: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Sarah Odi Mantey: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Sarah Abena Yeome Ayitey: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Ishmael Boateng: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Paramount Eli Nelson: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Nuworza Kugbey: School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, PMB Somanya, Ghana
Victor Christian Korley Doku: Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
Julie Hennegan: Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
Frank Baiden: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana
Fred Newton Binka: Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31 Ho, Ghana

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Menstruation, experienced by 1.8 billion girls and women globally, is often misunderstood and surrounded by taboos and misconceptions, particularly in low-income countries like Ghana. This study explores the Ghanaian socio-cultural representation of menstruation and the cultural experiences of young girls during menarche. (2) Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted in five Senior High Schools in Ghana’s Volta Region, using purposive and convenience sampling. Fifteen Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted, including five FGDs each for female students, teachers, and parents, with 10–12 participants per group. All FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and imported into MAXQDA 2022 for thematic analysis. (3) Results: This study identified various socio-cultural beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation in Ghana, including the celebration of menarche, viewing menstrual blood as unclean, and cultural taboos like household, religious, and social restrictions. (4) Conclusion: Despite shifting beliefs and practices, cultural and social practices/restrictions regarding menstruation are persistent in the Volta Region of Ghana, and these practices often determine how society interacts with menstruating women. These practices often determine how society interacts with menstruating girls and women and hinder optimal menstrual health and hygiene.

Keywords: menstruation; taboo; belief; socio-cultural; menarche; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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