I Bring Home My Used Menstrual Pad: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Menstrual Hygiene Management in Middle Schools with Limited Sanitation Access

Authors

  • Ni Putu Gita Saraswati Palgunadi Ganesha University of Education
  • I Gede Astra Wesnawa Ganesha University of Education
  • I Ketut Sudiana Ganesha University of Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57096/edunity.v3i11.330

Keywords:

Menstrual Hygiene Management, Water Sanitation Hygiene, Photovoice, Schools with limited sanitation access

Abstract

Menstruation is a critical aspect of puberty for adolescent girls, and effective Menstrual
Hygiene Management (MHM) is vital for their health and well-being. In many schools
in Indonesia, however, limited access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
facilities creates significant barriers to proper MHM. This study aims to explore the
challenges faced by adolescent girls in managing menstrual hygiene in schools with
inadequate sanitation. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was employed
using the photovoice method, allowing 20 female students from SMPN 3 Selemadeg
Timur, a school in Bali, to document their experiences with MHM. Data were collected
through interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and thematic analysis of the
photographs. The findings revealed that inadequate toilets, lack of privacy, poor water
supply, and ineffective waste management systems significantly hindered students'
ability to manage menstrual hygiene at school. As a result, many students adopted the
practice of taking home used menstrual pads due to the absence of proper disposal
facilities. Cultural taboos and fear of bullying further complicated the issue, preventing
students from reporting sanitation problems. Barriers to improving these conditions
included limited funds, low awareness of cleanliness, and low prioritization of
sanitation within the school. These factors led students to normalize taking used pads
home or leaving school to change pads as an adaptation to the unsatisfactory sanitation
conditions. The study highlights the need for improved sanitation infrastructure, better
waste management, and a more supportive school environment for managing
menstrual hygiene.

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Published

2024-11-26