Silent Struggles: Menstrual Hygiene Challenges Faced by Female University Students in Uganda
Abstract:
Menstruating individuals face barriers in managing their periods safely
and with dignity, especially in low-and middle–income countries like Uganda.
Menstrual health interventions have focused on schoolgirls, assuming university
students have fewer challenges. However, female university students in Uganda
face significant challenges. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore challenges faced by female university
students in Central and Southwestern Uganda through a socio-ecological perspective. A phenomenological design was used. A sample of 88 participants was
purposively selected using a two-stage stratified sampling technique. Four focus
group discussions and 16 key informant interviews were
conducted to collect data. Interviews were transcribed and
analysed thematically using NVivo 12 software. These were complemented by structured observations of WASH facilities. The
socio-ecological model (SEM) is a public health framework that describes how
health is impacted at multiple levels including individual, interpersonal,
community, organizational and policy levels. Key themes were identified, and
challenges contributing to menstrual hygiene were categorized as per the
SEM. The findings showed that female students experienced physical pains and missed classes hindering their education. Also, linking menstruation to sorcery led to fears related with disposal
of menstrual absorbents and inadequate WASH infrastructure, which contributed to poor
menstrual hygiene management reflecting systemic failures at universities. Many
female students had knowledge gaps about menstrual hygiene management based on biases of
cultural taboos and practices. They lacked confidence in managing
their menstruation while at university, highlighting the need for universities
to establish programs and policies that promote their well-being and academic
success.
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