Menstrual Hygiene Management: Challenges and Coping Strategies for Adolescents with Disabilities in the Kumasi Metro of Ghana

Acheampong Enoch; Alberta Nadutey; Barbara Fosua Afful; Reindolf Anokye

doi:10.47985/dcidj.364

Acheampong Enoch ⁽¹⁾, Alberta Nadutey ⁽²⁾, Barbara Fosua Afful ⁽³⁾, Reindolf Anokye ⁽⁴⁾

(1) Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana,

(2) Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana,

(3) Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi, Ghana,

(4) Edith Cowan University, Australia, Ghana

https://doi.org/10.47985/dcidj.364

Issue
Vol. 31 No. 2 (2020): Summer 2020

Submitted
October 28, 2020

Published
November 4, 2020

Keywords:

Menstrual hygiene, adolescents with disability, challenges, coping strategies

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Abstract

Purpose: Effective menstrual hygiene management is vital to the health, well-being, dignity, empowerment, mobility and productivity of girls and women. This study was conducted to ascertain menstrual hygiene management challenges and coping strategies of adolescents with disabilities in the Kumasi Metro of Ghana.

Method: An exploratory study design with qualitative approach was employed to select 18 participants. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and then transcribed and categorised into specific themes.

Results: Females with visual impairment had difficulty in maintaining good menstrual hygiene because of problems in detecting menstrual blood, inability to fix sanitary pads appropriately and wash underwear properly, and anxiety and stress from not knowing whether their period has started. The problems of those with physical impairment were related to inaccessible washrooms, long hours of being seated on the part of wheelchair-users, and difficulty in fixing sanitary pads for those with upper limb impairment. For those with hearing impairment, the main challenge was the communication barrier between them and their significant others whenever they needed help.

Conclusion: There are common challenges faced by all girls across the globe with regard to menstrual hygiene management. Adolescent females with disability however face additional challenges with regard to MHM. Those with physical disability encounter accessibility challenges, while the main challenge for the deaf and those with speech problems is communication. The visually impaired live in anxiety due to fear of staining their clothes.

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Authors

Acheampong Enoch

Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

caposterl@yahoo.com (Primary Contact)

Alberta Nadutey

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Barbara Fosua Afful

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi

Reindolf Anokye

Edith Cowan University, Australia

Author Biographies

Acheampong Enoch, Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Acheampong Enoch holds a Master's degree in Disability, Rehabilitation and Development. He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi, Ghana.

Alberta Nadutey, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Alberta Nadutey is a Postgraduate student at the Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, KNUST-Kumasi, Ghana. She has interest in women's health and issues related to sexuality and reproductive health with specific focus on persons with disablility.

Barbara Fosua Afful, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi

Barbara Fosua Afful is a an MBchB Student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi. She is also doig her housemanship practice at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

Reindolf Anokye, Edith Cowan University, Australia

Reindolf Anokye is a PhD candidate at Edith Cowan University in Australia. He has interest in Public Health Issues with focus on rehabilitation practices.

1.

Enoch A, Nadutey A, Afful BF, Anokye R. Menstrual Hygiene Management: Challenges and Coping Strategies for Adolescents with Disabilities in the Kumasi Metro of Ghana. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2020 Nov. 4 [cited 2025 Feb. 5];31(2):77-91. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/364

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