Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices and Associated Factors Among Female High School Students in Awsi Resu, Afar Region, Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background Poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM), characterized by inadequate use of clean materials, improper disposal, and poor hygiene practices, negatively impacts the health of reproductive‐age women. In school settings, these practices further compromise girls' health, well‐being, and educational performance. This study assessed menstrual hygiene management practices and associated factors among female high school students in Awsi Rasu, Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia, 2023. Methods An institutional‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from April 15 to 30, 2023, among 423 female high school students in the Afar Region, Ethiopia. Data were collected using self‐administered structured questionnaires. Participants were selected through a simple random sampling technique. The collected data were coded and entered into EpiData version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess menstrual hygiene management practices, while binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Statistical significance was determined at a p ‐value of < 0.05. Result This study found that 51.3% (95% CI: 46.5%, 56.1%) of female high school students had poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices. Having poor knowledge (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.43, 3.90), having lower attitude toward menses (AOR = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.10, 5.58), not having private shower at home (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.33, 4.20), not learning about menses at school (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.13,3.10), not having discussions about menses (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.81), not having room for menstrual management at school (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.05), and being grade 11‐12 (AOR = 0.53,95% CI: 0.33,0.85) were significantly associated with poor menstrual hygiene management practice. Conclusion Over half of the students practice poor menstrual hygiene management, with key influencing factors being knowledge, attitude, facilities, education, and grade level. Therefore, efforts should focus on enhancing knowledge, changing attitudes, and improving facilities and resources for MHM in both homes and schools.