Table 1.
Studies included in the review (created by Tshivule MZ).
| No | Author, year, and country | Aim or objectives | Design and data collection method | Sampling and population | Key findings | Quality appraisal (scale: h = high; l = low; nr = not reported) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Onubogu et al. (2024) (1) Rural Anambra State, Nigeria |
To examine the menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent girls in rural Anambra communities | Quantitative, Cross-sectional, and descriptive Self-administered semi-structured questionnaire |
Multistage Stratified Random Sampling Public secondary school adolescent girls |
Inadequate knowledge about menstrual hygiene, lack of facilities for changing, and unhygienic products among girls The need for active MHM teaching in primary school curriculum and school health programmes |
(h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design was clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 2. | Bulto (2021) (47) Oromia region, central Ethiopia |
To determine the practice of MHM and associated factors in central Ethiopia | Quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study Self-administered questionnaire |
Systematic random sampling Adolescent girls from three schools in Holeta town |
. Poor menstruation awareness and hygiene practices increase the risk of reproductive and genitourinary infections and cervical cancer | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 3. | Belayneh and Mekuriaw (2019) (5) Gedeo zone Southern Ethiopia |
To assess the Knowledge and menstrual hygiene practices of adolescent schoolgirls in Gedeo zone | Quantitative, cross-sectional Structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire |
Multi-stage sampling Adolescent school girls. |
Insufficient knowledge regarding menstruation and suboptimal menstrual hygiene practices | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design was clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 4. | Ramathuba (2015) (6) Thulamela municipality Limpopo Province, South Africa |
To assess the knowledge and practices of secondary school girls towards menstruation in the Thulamela municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo | Quantitative, explorative descriptive Self-administered questionnaire |
Convenience sampling Secondary school girls |
Only 48% of adolescents prior to menarche possessed knowledge of hygienic menstrual practices | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 5. | Shumie and Mengie, (2022) (23) Mekdela district South Wollo zone Northeast Ethiopia |
To identify knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene, and associated factors | Quantitative, cross-sectional Structured self-administered questionnaire |
The stratified sampling technique was used Female students from grades 9th to 12th in Mekidela secondary schools |
Good knowledge and good practice of menstrual hygiene management, informed about menstruation before menarche, mainly from their mothers However, menstrual hygiene practice was unsatisfactory |
(h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 6. | Kumbeni et al. (2020) (24) Rural northern Ghana | This study sought to investigate menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in junior high schools in rural northern Ghana | Quantitative, school-based cross-sectional study design Structured questionnaire |
Multistage sampling technique School girls |
The prevalence of good menstrual hygiene was 61.4%, despite inadequate sanitation facilities. The education of mothers and parents’ socio-economic status greatly influences menstrual hygiene management. use was linked to school attendance | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (L) The study design was clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 7. | Daniel et al. (2023) (17) Gimbi town, west Wollega zone. Western Ethiopia |
To assess menstrual hygiene management practice and its associated factors among in-school adolescent girls in the secondary schools of Gimbi town, western Ethiopia | Quantitative, cross-sectional. Self-administered questionnaire and observational checklist |
Stratified random sampling techniques. Adolescent girls in Gimbi town secondary schools |
Menstrual hygiene management practice is poor, and they can't afford sanitary pads The girls absent themselves from school during their monthly periods |
(h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 8. | Hussein et al. (2022) (16) East Hararghe, Ethiopia |
To assess practices of menstrual hygiene management and associated determinants among secondary school girls in East Hararghe | Quantitative cross-sectional survey. Self-administered questionnaire |
Simple random sampling School girls |
A high number of girls demonstrate a commendable understanding of menstrual hygiene; however, only two-thirds engage in effective menstrual hygiene management practices | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 9. | Upashe et al. (2015) (25) Nekemte, Oromia, Western Ethiopia |
To assess the knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among high school girls in Nekemte town | Quantitative cross-sectional Structured questionnaire |
A multi-stage sampling Female high school students |
Lack of knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene, and few had good practices on menstrual hygiene | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design was clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 10. | Gedefaw et al. (2019) (8) North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia |
Assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and their associated factors of menstrual hygiene among high school students in North Wollo Zone, Woldia, Ethiopia | Quantitative institution-based cross-sectional study Structured, pretested questionnaire |
Systematic random sampling technique Female high school students |
Participants had high knowledge about MHM but low attitudes and practices related to it | h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 11. | Girma et al. (2024) (26) Eastern Ethiopia |
To assess MHM practice and associated factors among secondary school girls in eastern Ethiopia | Quantitative Institutional-based cross-sectional study design Self-administered structured questionnaire |
Stratified sampling technique Secondary schoolgirls |
Good menstrual hygiene. MHM practice was associated to school WASH features such as continuous water supply, MHM education, toilets, closed female restrooms, and private spaces | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated. (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 12. | Aluko et al. (2014) (19) Ile Ife, south-western Nigeria |
assessed the knowledge and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices among in-school adolescents in Nigeria | Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study Validated questionnaire and observational checklist |
Multistage technique Female respondents between the ages 10 and 19 |
Mothers’ educational status influences knowledge on MHM. There is a good knowledge of MHM, but poor practice is observed. Poor sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools hinder safe MHM |
(h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 13. | Gultie et al. (2014) (20) Amhara Ethiopia |
The objective of this study, therefore, is to assess the age of menarche and knowledge of adolescents about menstrual hygiene management in Amhara province | Quantitative, school-based, cross-sectional study Pretested and structured questionnaire |
Multistage sampling technique Female students |
The primary source of information about menstrual hygiene were teachers, followed by mothers. Lack of latrine and water supply seriously affects menstrual hygiene management and jeopardizes the physical and psychological health of school adolescents | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (h) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |
| 14. | Gorah et al. (2020) (27) Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria |
The study was carried out to help find the evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of female students towards menstrual hygiene management in the Bokkos Local Government area of Plateau state | Quantitative, survey research design A structured questionnaire |
Multistage Female students |
The participants are embarrassed by menarche. They have negative attitudes and practices towards menstrual hygiene. They use cotton wool, throwing menstrual waste in a dustbin | (h) Aim and objectives clearly stated (L) The study design is clearly stated (h) Appropriate research methods |