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                      American International Journal of Social Science Research; Vol. 4, No. 2; 2019 
                                       ISSN 2576-103X   E-ISSN 2576-1048 

Published by Centre for Research on Islamic Banking & Finance and Business, USA 
 

     78 
 

Assessment of Menstrual Waste Disposal and the Environment: The Role of 
Adult Education in Nigeria 

 
 

Adekunle Olatumile Ph.D 
Department of Adult Education 

Faculty of Education 
Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko 

Ondo State, Nigeria 
E-mail: adekunle.olatumile@aaua.edu.ng 

 
Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo Ajayi  

Department of Adult Education 
Faculty of Education 

Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko 
Ondo State, Nigeria 

Email: elizabeth.ajayi@aaua.edu.ng 
Phone: +234 806 639 2094 

 
 
Abstract 
The phenomenon of menstruation portends great impact on the environment and its calls for concern. Environmental effect of 
menstrual hygiene and related issues has been downplayed Nigeria. This study was conducted to assess menstrual waste disposal 
practices and it’s implication on the environment. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to elicit information for the survey 
design research. While multistage sampling technique was used to select 194 participants of females within the age range of 20 
and 59 in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. The four research questions raised for the study were answered descriptively while the 
two hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Finding revealed among others that though 
the female adults were aware of the environmental implication of indiscriminate menstrual waste disposal, they practices does not 
correlate with their awareness because menstrual waste disposal knowledge is not in public domain, while the knowledge gained 
is informal from older women who themselves lack adequate knowledge. It was therefore recommended among others, that 
adults deserves to be empowerment by Adult Education through Menstrual Waste Education (MWE)   to improve hygiene as 
well as the environment during menstrual cycle due to the precarious situation it places on women. 
 

Keywords: Menstrual hygiene; menstrual waste disposal; Menstrual Management Education; Environmental Adult Education  
       

1.Introduction 
Mensuration is a natural and biological phenomenon among female population of reproductive age, majority of who menstruate 
between two and seven days each month. This has to do with the monthly periodic bleeding arising out of the menstrual cycle. 
Houses, Mahon, and Cavill (2012) perused literature and posit that, globally, approximately 52% of the female population 
(26% of the total population) is of reproductive age. Women menstruate on an average between 13 and 50 years of age in low-
income settings (but can start as early as from 8 years), amounting to a total of 1400 days of menstruation in a woman’s lifetime 
(Sumpter and Torondel 2013 cited in Rheinlander and Wachira 2015). This important phenomenon in the life human being 
that is linked to procreation has been a source of psychological trauma for women folk in the sense that it is strongly tied to 
culturally negative prejudices, stereotypes and attitudes.  

There are several perceptions and practices, which sometimes result in adverse health and environmental challenges 
(Jogdand and Yerpude 2011). Superstitions, misinterpretations, illogical beliefs, stigmatization, taboos, myths, isolation, 
rejection, restriction, and marginalisation have greeted this natural phenomenon for women in Nigeria. These are reflected in the 
little or lack of awareness about menstruation for young girls experiencing it for the first time; lack of appropriate and sufficient 
information regarding menstrual hygiene which may engender incorrect and unhealthy behaviour during their menstrual period; 
incorrect information and skills which older women communicate to the younger women about menstrual hygiene; beliefs and 
practices of menstrual management, thus leaving them at the mercy of false attitudes (Runum and Msuega, 2014;  Lawan, Yusuf, 
Musa, 2010; Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango, 2012;  Gultie, 2014).  



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It has been stressed that historically, women and girls undergoing menstruation have used variety of materials to absorb 
menstrual fluid with implications for disposal and sanitation systems to both culture and the environment. These include sea 
sponges, leaves, corn cobs, wood ash, and pieces of cloth, cotton wool and tissue paper among others (Finley 2004 cited in 
Raina and Balodi, 2014). The modern disposable menstrual pads were invented in the 19 th century and are being improved upon 
overtime that premium is placed on advocacy for the affordability and use of disposable pads. Whereas, the use of reusable 
absorbent materials like clothes and reusable pad are not being emphasised. Reinforcing this problem is the fact that menstrual 
health and hygiene concerns have not been mainstreamed into environmental health management. Rumun and Msuega (2014) 
observed that the last decade has seen an expansion in sanitarian issues to include the crucial environmental health in the areas of 
waste water and solid waste management, but there exist very little subtext on menstrual hygiene management.  

This gap has inflicted setback on the health and wellbeing of the environment because lack of disposal facilities for used 
sanitary pads or cloths result in blockage of latrines and quick fullness of pits and cause environmental pollution (Rumun and 
Msuega (2014). This means the indiscriminate disposal of used sanitary pads, cloths, toilet rolls and other sanitary menstrual 
absorbents repudiates the environment. Raina and Balodi (2014) noted that lack of relevant menstrual waste disposal 
knowledge; inadequate disposal system and practices such as burning, burying, throwing in the waste bin, pit latrine or flushing 
result in clogged toilets and pollution of water bodies. These used absorbents may also be disposed in gutters, drainages, 
dunghills and refuse sites causing flooding and pollution. Various authors have carried out studies on the physiological health 
impact of menstrual waste on women and girls but the effect of menstrual waste on environmental health has been downplayed. 
Therefore, this study was set to provide answers to the following questions. 

 Does the government encourage positive attitude towards menstrual waste disposal? 
 What are the attitudes of females towards menstrual waste disposal strategies? 
 Does menstrual waste disposal influence environmental sustainability? 

 What can be done to achieve better menstrual waste disposal attitude? 

Some scholars have also noted a relationship between age and educational status in the practice of menstrual waste disposal, 
hence, this study was also conducted to test the following null hypotheses: 

 Ho 1: Age has no significant influence on attitude towards menstrual waste disposal. 

 Ho 2: Educational qualification has no significant influence on attitude towards menstrual waste disposal. 
 

2. Literature Review 
2.1 Environmental Consequences of Menstrual Waste 
Kaur, Kaur and Kaur (2018) combed literature on environmental consequences of menstrual waste, and identified the following: 
Sanitation systems were designed with urine and faeces in mind, they are unable to cope with the menstrual absorption materials. 
These absorption materials clog the sewer pipelines as they are unable to pass through and cause the system backflow. Materia ls 
like tampons, cotton wool, toilet paper, and other organic materials used for menstrual management might be decomposed in pit 
latrines/landfills except the plastic inlay of the commercial sanitary pads. Sanitary napkins might decompose over a period of 
about one year except its plastic lining in on-site sanitation. 

In rural areas, pit latrines once full they were covered with soil and new pit was dug but due to land space limitations 
this was not practiced in most urban areas It was reported that some women and girls wrap their used menstrual cloths and packs 
in polythene bags before disposing in pit latrines which prevents them from decomposition. Nowadays, mostly women/girls 
prefer commercial sanitary pads and tampons which are made up of super absorptive materials like polyacrylate. These pads and 
tampons when flushed in the toilets they get saturated with liquid and swell up, thus resulting in sewage backflow, a serious  
health hazard. The adhesive wings and the perforated plastic layers in the commercial sanitary napkins are not easily 
biodegradable. The sewage blockages were mostly due to accumulation of excessive quantity of solid waste or sand which results 
in hardening of the sludge in the pits. Blockage of sewage system is a global problem and major contributing factor is flushing of 
menstrual products in toilets. Deodorized sanitary products used by women/girls contain chemicals used in bleaching such as 
organ chlorines which when buried in the soil disturb the soil micro flora and decomposition takes time. 

People living alongside river banks throw menstrual waste into water bodies which contaminate them. These materials 

soaked with blood were breeding places for germs and pathogenic microbes. Sanitary products soaked with blood of an infected 

women/girl may contain hepatitis and HIV viruses which retain their infectivity in soil and live up to six months in soil. The 

clogged drainage with napkins has to be unblocked and cleaned manually by conservancy workers with their bare hands without 

proper protection and tools. This exposes the workers to harmful chemicals and pathogens. Incineration is a better technique to 

dispose of menstrual waste but burning of pads releases harmful gasses that effects health and environment. Burning of inorganic 

material at low temperature releases dioxins which are toxic and carcinogenic in nature. 

 

 



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2.2 Need for information and Education on Menstrual Hygiene and management 
Information is power, and knowledge is well known to influence attitude over time, hence, the need to provide education, 
accurate information and awareness creation is sine qua non to positive menstrual hygiene and waste behaviour. This has been 
canvassed by various authors and organizations.  Increased access to information can challenge the myths that prevent women 
from interacting with men or performing household tasks while on their menstrual periods (Crofts 2012). Lack of information 
on menstrual preparedness and management is common amongst adolescent girls, while the shyness and embarrassment with 
which discussions about menstruation are avoided have made the situation even worse. In several cultures, various restrictions are 
imposed on women and girls during their menstruation period, thus resulting in poor personal hygiene and unsafe sanitary 
conditions leading to gynecological problems. Approximately half of the world’s population of women has known from their 
own experience, good menstrual hygiene helps to perform optimally during their menstruation period (Raina and Balodi 2014). 
Onyegegbu (2008) reiterated this when he posited that lack of flow of accurate and sufficient information regarding 
menstruation led to superstitious perception and beliefs about it in most rural communities. The implications of all these has 
continue to place girls in a state of confusion over their body and health, and for some women and young girls, lack of 
knowledge in combination with shame has led them to contracting terminal diseases.  
 
2.3 Empirical Studies on Menstrual Hygiene and Environment 
Various studies have been carried out on menstrual hygiene and materials used for menstrual flow absorption, Raina and Balodi 
(2014) in a study conducted in rural India reported that 59% of rural girls opined that sanitary pad should ideally be used 
during menstruation but 62% actually use old cloths during menstruation. In the same vein Lawan, Yusuf and Musa (2010) in a 
study carried in Nigeria found that 86.5% of the girls knew correctly that sanitary pad is the best sanitary absorbent 
recommended for adolescents.  Whereas Rumun and Msuega (2014) in a study carried out in Nigeria found that 70.5% of girls 
use sanitary pad, Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango (2012) found that 87% of the respondents use sanitary pad. Gultie (2014) in his 
study carried out in Ethiopia reported that 97% of the respondents use sanitary pad. 
On the methods used for disposing menstrual absorbents, Lawan, Yusuf and Musa (2010) reported that 71% dispose them 
with domestic wastes, Gultie (2014) found that 51.4% throw used menstrual soaking materials in the toilet pan, 9.1% throw 
them in the open field. Raina and Balodi (2014) reported that 56% of the respondents burn them while 16% throw them in 
routine waste. 

On knowledge about menstruation, Rumun and Msuega (2014) reported that 93% of the respondents are 
knowledgeable, Gultie (20014) in the same vein found that girls are knowledgeable. Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango (2012) found 
that 65% of the respondents had high knowledge. On the significance of age and education on knowledge of menstruation, 
Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango (2012) found that age and education of respondents were not statistically significant with respect 
to the knowledge of menstruation and its management. However Lawan, Yusuf and Musa (2010) found that the respondent’s 
knowledge was significantly associated with the age group of the respondents. George and Murcott (1992) related that the 
education of young women about menstruation and its waste disposal is lacking. 

 
3. Method and Material 
This study employed a cross sectional survey with a population of females residing in Akungba-Akoko area of Ondo State 
between the ages of 20 and 59.  Multistage sampling techniques was used for the study. The first stage was proportionate 
stratified random sampling based on quarters in Akungba-Akoko. The second stage was purposive sampling technique to select 
five quarters representative of the area.  The third stage was accidental sampling technique used to select 194 participants from 
the communities as stated below: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The instrument used was a self-constructed questionnaire consisting of closed ended 21 items with multi-choice responses 
covering issues around the attitude towards menstrual waste disposal and it’s implication on the environment. Responses 
received were analysed using frequency count and simple percentage for the research questions and the hypotheses were tested 
using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance.  
 
 

Quarters Total 

Akwa 39 

Araromi 45 

Ibaka 51 

Ilale 27 

Okusa 32 

 194 



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4. Data Analysis and Interpretation 
Bio-data Analysis 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Field work (2018) 
Fig. 1: Chart of participants age distribution 

 
Figure. 1 revealed that majority of the participants is females within the age range of 20 and 29 years followed by those within 
the age range of 50 and 59. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Field work (2018) 
Figure. 2: Chart of participants educational qualification distribution 
 

Fig. 2 reveals that majority of the participants have Bachelor’s degree while minority have HND.  
Research Question 1: Does the government encourage positive attitude towards menstrual waste disposal? 

Table 1: Response on government’s attitude and menstrual waste disposal 

Items Responses Frequency Percentage 

Government attitude towards curbing 
environmental issues is encouraging 

Yes 66 34 

No 128 66 

There is effective policy or regulatory measures 
for managing menstrual waste disposal 

Yes 75 38.7 

No 119 61.3 

Lack of social amenities contributes to inadequate Yes 171 88.1 

54%
24%

16%
6%

Age Distribution

20 - 29 years

30 - 39 years

40 - 49 years

50 - 59 years

48%

13%
7%

32%

Educational Qualification 
Distribution

SSCE

NCE/OND

HND

B.Sc.



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Source: Field work (2018) 
 

A negative grand percentage of 69.1 affirmed that government does not encourage positive attitude towards menstrual waste 
disposal especially with the lack of awareness creation, policy, amenities among others from the government. The reason for this 
result may be viewed from the perspective that government and organizations have not been visible in curbing environmental 
issues especially in rural and semi urban areas and even scholars have limited literature in these areas. Unlike the government and 
organizations in developed countries such as Women Environmental Network (WEN) in UK who sensitizes on issues such as 
this. This finding showed, lack of awareness through the government and Non-governmental organizations for majority of 
females. This is also accounted for in one of the statements for research question four, where participants enjoyed government to 
have and implement policies that will help curb the menace of seeing menstrual waste in dustbins, on the road or in water. 

 Research Question 2: What are the attitude of females towards menstrual waste disposal strategies? 

Table 2: Response on environmental compliant menstrual waste disposal practice 

disposal of menstrual waste No 23 11.9 

 
Government attitude is effective in creating 

hygienic menstrual waste disposal 

Effective 39 2.6 

Not Effective 150 77.3 

Strongly Effective 5 20.1 

 
Government awareness concerning menstrual 

waste disposal  

Yes 104  
1.46 

No 90 

Grand Average Positive 60 30.9 

Negative 134 69.1 

Items Responses F Percentage 

Type of sanitary protection used Disposable sanitary napkins 180 92.8 

Tampon 6 3.1 

Cloth 8 4.1 

 
Reason why menstrual waste disposal is not 

discussed 

Taboo 17 8.8 

Ritually unclean 39 20.1 

Embarrassing 93 47.9 

Attached myth 45 23.2 

Menstrual waste can be used for rituals if disposed 
indiscriminately 

Yes 183 94.3 

No 11 5.7 

 
 
 

Usual method for menstrual waste disposal 

Flushing in toilet 65 33.5 

Burying 20 10.3 

Burning 86 44.3 

Disposing in stream/gutter 21 10.8 

Disposal on land 2 1.0 

I am aware of the environmental concerns of 
menstrual waste disposal 

Yes 147 75.8 

No 47 24.2 



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Source: Field work (2018) 
 

A positive grand average percentage of 87.6 revealed that females have positive attitude towards menstrual waste disposal. This 
revealed that most females are aware of what to use; the need and how to dispose menstrual waste, even though it may not be 
environmentally compliant or discussed in public. This confirms that females have learnt to do these mostly through informal 
learning from older women and friends.  Montgomery, Ryus, Dolan, Dopson and Scott (2012) confirmed that what women use 
for menstrual fluid has changed from cloth to disposable sanitary napkin. Also Lawan, Yusuf and Musa (2010) supported that 
in a study carried in Nigeria which found that 86.5% of the girls knew correctly that sanitary pad is the best sanitary absorbent 
recommended for adolescents.   Finding revealed a negative  disposal  practice such as flushing, burning  and disposing in water 
ways among others which are not been ideal or environmentally compliant This is in line with Dargan, Selvaraj and Pratap’s 
finding in 2015 that women sanitary napkins are thrown in toilets, rivers or burned, which are practices that are not 
environmental friendly. Although in relation to research question one, it can be observed that the absence of facilities such as 
incinerator, laundry machine for reusable sanitary materials among others and lack of enlightenment, may account for the lack of 
good practice among females. Whereas this present practices have impending danger for the earth. 

Research Question 3: Does menstrual waste disposal influence environmental sustainability 
 

Table 3: Response on menstrual waste disposal and environmental sustainability 

Source: Field work (2018) 
 

A positive grand average of 82% revealed that participants agreed that menstrual waste disposal influence environmental 
sustainability. Research question three gave a conflicting view in line with research question two, in that the participants know 
that indiscriminate disposal of menstrual waste poses danger for the survival and sustainability of the environment, yet they do 
not practice sustainability in its disposal. The findings here affirmed the statements of scholars such as Dargan, et.al. (2015) that 
indiscriminate disposal of menstrual waste becomes barrier for agriculture because it reduces soil fertility; it kills aquatic animals 
and contaminate drinkable water; and its consistent flushing in toilet causes blockage which later constitute pollution and is 
unhealthy. This is why Lumutenga, Khaitsa, Muwazi, Wakoko-Studstill, Naigaga, Hossfield and Ralston (2018) among other 
scholars, are advocating for organic materials such as reusable cloth pad which will be made up of cotton, hemp, wool, bamboo, 
micro-fibre and the likes. This is believed to be potent for a sustainable environment and healthy female body. 

 

 

Grand Average Positive 170 87.6 

Negative 24 12.4 

Items Responses F percentage 

Inadequate menstrual waste disposal have 
environmental implication 

Yes 170 87.6 

No 24 12.4 

Menstrual waste disposal on land serves as barrier for 
agriculture 

Yes 124 63.9 

No 70 36.1 

Menstrual waste disposal in streams/sea cause havoc to 
aquatic animal 

Yes 158 81.4 

No 70 18.6 

Flushing if sanitary napkins causes blockage in toilets Yes 174 89.7 

No 20 10.3 

Unhygienic menstrual waste disposal creates healthy 
and pollution free environment 

Yes 25 12.9 

No 169 87.1 

Grand Average Positive 159 82.0 

Negative 35 18.0 



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Research Question 4: What can be done to achieve better menstrual waste disposal attitude? 

Table 4: Response on achieving better menstrual waste disposal practice 

Source: Field work (2018) 

Participants according to the findings from research question 4 acknowledged that there are ways to have a better practice of the 
use of this inorganic sanitary material. The positive grand of 77.3% revealed that majority of the respondents identified possible 
steps toward achieving a better menstrual waste disposal attitude. Some of the ways are creating awareness, inculcating 
knowledge through education, provision of facilities and implementation of policies are more likely to enhance good practice of 
menstrual waste disposal. This correlates with Dargan, et. al (2015) that proffered solutions for menstrual waste disposal as a 
multi approach involving the use of appropriate product options, educating on its disposal with an input of women in the 
sanitation and waste management system. 

Ho 1: Age has no significant influence on attitude towards menstrual waste disposal. 

 
Table 5: ANOVA of menstrual waste disposal attitude by Age 

Age Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. 

Between Groups 

Within Groups 

Total 

7.749 

210.504 

218.253 

3 

190 

193 

2.583 

1.108 

2.331 .058 

α = .05 
Table 5 shows that an F value of 2.331 and a p value of .058 testing at an alpha level of .05. The p value is higher than the 
alpha level, so the null hypothesis which stated that ‘Age has no significant influence on attitude towards menstrual waste 
disposal’ is accepted. This confirms the finding of Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango (2012) who found that age of females was not 
statistically significant with respect to the knowledge of menstruation and its’ management. The finding controverts that of 
Lawan, Yusuf and Musa (2010) that the respondents’ knowledge was significantly associated with the age group of the 
respondents.   This may be seen form the aspect of informal education, where the younger females have always learnt form the 
older, hence their practice rubs off on the younger. Although most of the older women use cloths for their menstrual fluid, they 

Items Responses F Mean 

There is need for awareness via media on 
menstrual waste disposal  

Yes 180 92.8 

No 14 7.2 

Knowledge on menstrual waste disposal 
unnecessary in schools  

Yes 17 8.8 

No 177 91.2 

Menstrual waste disposal has to do more with 
availability of facilities  

Yes 94 51.5 

No 100 48.5 

 
 

Which method is best for menstrual waste 
disposal 

Recycling 37 19.1 

Burning in incinerator 128 66.0 

Burying 19 9.8 

Land filling 8 4.1 

Disposal in flowing water 2 1.0 

Government needs to implement a policy in 
relation to menstrual waste disposal 

Yes 147 75.8 

No 47 24.2 

Grand Average Positive 150 77.3 

Negative 44 22.7 



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still purchase sanitary pads for the younger ones and because they lack adequate knowledge on its disposal, they cannot inculcate 
a better knowledge in the young ones.  

Ho 2: Educational qualification has no significant influence on attitude towards menstrual waste disposal. 
Table 6: ANOVA of menstrual waste disposal attitude by educational qualification 

Educational Qualification Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. 

Between Groups 

Within Groups 

Total 

2.262 

215.990 

218.252 

4 

189 

193 

.566 

1.143 

.495 .039 

α = .05 

Table 6 shows that an F value of .495 and a p value of .039 testing at an alpha level of .05. The p value is lesser than the alpha 
level, so the null hypothesis which stated that ‘educational qualification has no significant influence on attitude towards 
menstrual waste disposal’ is rejected. This implies that educational qualification has significant influence on attitude towards 
menstrual waste disposal.  This is at variance with the findings of Oche, Umar, Gana and Ango (2012) who found that 
education of females was not statistically significant with respect to the knowledge of menstruation and its management. The 
reason for this may be seen from the perspective of Woeller, Miller, Robertson-Smith and Bolhman (2015) that advertisement 
on sanitary pad portrays it has been convenient, desirable and without it menstrual periods can be bad for females. This reveals 
that though education via the media has made females aware of the benefit of sanitary pads, it has failed to make them 
functionally literate about the implication of its disposal on the planet earth. This supports George and Murcott (1992) that 
education of young women about menstruation is adequate but its waste disposal is lacking. 

5. Conclusion 
Menstruation is a natural process in women’s life but due to environmental illiteracy; inadequate waste disposal; negligence on 
part of the government on awareness and environmental policy issue; and poor health facilities such as menstrual cup, reusable 
sanitary napkins and incinerators especially in rural semi urban areas (among which is Akungba-Akoko) we have negative 
consequences of menstrual waste disposal. It is necessary for the professionals to acknowledge the place of education (formal, 
informal and non-formal) in ensuring a free environment requiring the support of the government, non-governmental 
organizations and media outfits. This will ensure having menstrual waste disposal in environmental policy and create awareness 
about it. In the light that adults are mostly involved, it behaves Adult education as a profession to have programmes related 
women and environmental education to create a safe sanitary and hygienic environment.   

6. Recommendation: The role of Adult Education 
It is true that menstruation not a choice for all females because it is a sign of the ability to reproduce, but managing its waste is a 
choice. Women thus deserve empowerment to better knowledge and skill on menstruation hygiene and management to their 
wellbeing and that of the environment during their menstrual cycle. This brings the need for Adult Education to provide 
Menstrual Waste Education (MWE), which would be germane for addressing the precarious situation of waste disposal 
menstrual period placed on women. 

This type of Adult Education would have a content that exposes adults to the: 

 Ability of selecting and using hygienic menstrual absorbents taking into consideration, it’s environmental friendliness 
and proper disposal;  

 Advantages and disadvantages of reusable and disposable sanitary menstrual absorbents and its implication for the 
wellbeing of the environment; 

 Different methods of disposing sanitary menstrual absorbents, its’ advantage and disadvantages as well as implication 
for the wellbeing of the environment; 

 Implications of improper disposal of sanitary menstrual absorbents on the environment and environmental resources, 
like soil, underground water and rivers; 

 The need to make provision for menstrual waste disposal facilities such as incinerator in their homes, offices, schools 
and every public facility 

The content of MWE should also provide skills that ensure: 

 Older women are aware and can communicate effectively issues that concern menstruation to the younger ones (male 
and females) in order to demystify and de-stigmatise menstruation; 



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 Young women are empowered to speak out on issues concerning menstruation; 
 There is for the males to understand menstrual hygiene so that they will know their responsibilities in giving support 

to their sisters, wives, mates, daughters, employees, subordinates among others during their menstrual periods; 

 Changes of tight held superstitions attached to menstruation by the society; 
 All citizens both old and young, male and female support and advocate for the provision of appropriate infrastructure 

and facilities that will facilitate smooth menstrual hygiene and management to enhance environmental sustainability. 

MWE can be delivered through the following means: 

 Educative programmes, talks, jingles, spots  on menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal on radio and 
television; 

 Menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal awareness on social media such as facebook, twitter, instagram and 
whatsapp;  

 Messages on menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal should feature on billboards, posters, leaflets and 
fliers; 

 Mementos like vests, caps, jotters, exercise books, pens, with menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal 
messages should be made available to the public; 

 Special community programmes like day celebrations and festival should feature advocacy on menstrual hygiene and 
management campaign; 

 Gender advocacies should mainstream education on menstrual issues in their programmes 
 Train the trainer programmes on menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal should be organised for teachers, 

community leaders, religious leaders, community health extension workers and other groups that can reach women and 
girls 

 Religious outlets like churches and mosques must mainstream menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal 
issues in their programmes 

 School curricula especially at primary and secondary levels must include education on menstrual hygiene, management 
and waste disposal  

 Laubach approach of each-one-teach-one should be aggressively applied in delivering MWE. A person that is 
knowledgeable on menstrual hygiene, management and waste disposal issues can educate the other that is not 
knowledgeable.  

MWE should be a lifelong education as it revolves round every member of the society; male and female, young and old. 
Therefore, the delivery system and content should be used together rather than in isolation to achieve total result of mutual 
reinforcement.  

References 
Crofts, T. (2012). Menstruation Hygiene Management for School Girls in Low-Income Countries. Leistershire: Water 

Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough University. 

Dargan, T. Selvaraj, J. and Singh, D. (June 5, 2015). World Environment Day 2015: Menstrual Waste Disposal and the 
Environment. Retrieved on January 31, 2018 from www.india.com/news/india/world-environment-day-2015-
menstrual-waste-disposal-and-the-environment-409523 

George, A. and Murcott, A. (1992). Monthly strategies for discretion: Shopping for sanitary towels and tampons. The 
Sociological Review 40(1). Retrieved on January 31, 2018 from https://doi.org/10.111/j1467-954x.1992.tb02949.x 

Gultie, T. K. (2014). Practice of menstrual hygiene and associated factors among female Mehalmeda high school students in 
Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. Science Journal of Public Health. 2(3), 189-195. 

Houses, S., Mahon, T. and Cavill, S. (2012). Menstrual Hygiene Matters: A Resource for Improving Menstrual Hygiene around 
the World. UKAid. 

Jogdand, K. and Yerpude, P. (2011). A Community Based Study on Menstruation Hygiene Among Adolescent Girls. Indian 
Journal of Maternal and Child Health. 13 (3) 1-6. 

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