Relationship between Female University Students’ Knowledge on Menstruation and Their Menstrual Hygiene Practices: A Study in Tamale, Ghana
Table 4
Knowledge of respondents on menstruation ().
Variable
Subgroup
Number of respondents
Correct knowledge score
Percentage of correct scores
Definition of menstruation
Correct#
272 (92.8%)
0.93 ± 0.26
92.8
Incorrect
21 (7.2%)
What is the normal age(s) of menarche (years)
12 or less
175 (59.7%)
21.5
13–15
63 (21.5%)
0.22 ± 0.41
>15
2 (0.7%)
Do not know
53 (18.1%)
What is responsible for menstruation?
Hormones
77 (26.3%)
0.26 ± 0.44
26.3
Incorrect
154 (52.6%)
Do not know
62 (21.2%)
Source of menstrual blood
Inner lining of uterus
164 (55.9%)
0.56 ± 0.50
55.9
Incorrect
60 (20.5%)
Do not know
69 (23.5%)
Normal number of days for menstrual flow
2 or less
1 (0.3%)
39.6
3–5
116 (39.6%)
0.40 ± 0.49
>5
152 (51.9%)
Do not know
24 (8.2%)
Normal interval between menstrual cycles
Correct (21–35 days)
222 (75.8%)
0.76 ± 0.43
75.8
Incorrect
26 (8.9%)
Do not know
45 (15.4%)
Is there a period women are most fertile?
Yes
230 (78.5%)
0.79 ± 0.41
78.5
No
36 (12.3%)
Do not know
27 (9.2%)
Can woman ever be pregnant during menstrual flow?
Yes
86 (29.4%)
0.29 ± 0.46
29.4%
No
144 (49.1%)
Do not know
63 (21.5%)
Normal menopausal age
Correct (45–50 years)
169 (57.7%)
0.58 ± 0.50
57.7
Incorrect
97 (33.1%)
Do not know
27 (9.2%)
Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections
Yes
281 (95.9%)
0.96 ± 0.20
95.9
No
6 (2.0%)
Do not know
6 (2.0%)
Mean knowledge score (maximum = 10)
5.73 ± 1.56
57.3
If a respondent gave a range of values for an answer, the lower value was chosen for knowledge score calculations. Most appropriate answer. Definition should be “monthly flow of blood through the vagina” or statements similar to this.
