Mashala, Leah Alex2019-09-052019-09-052018Mashala, L. A. (2018). Role of menstrual hygiene management practices to adolescent girls: a case of selected primary schools in Bahi district. Dodoma: The University of Dodoma..http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/1679Dissertation (MA Development Studies)This study examined the role of menstrual hygiene management practices to adolescent girls in primary school in Bahi district. Specifically the studies assessed awareness of menstruation to adolescent girls, identify menstrual hygiene management practices in selected primary school and examined the effects of MHM to adolescent girls in selected primary schools. Methods for data collection were Key informants interview, focus group discussion and survey. The data were collected from 10 key informants using checklist questions, 9 focus group discussion using interview guide and 90 respondents using questionnaires. The study involved a cross sectional research design and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software was used to analyze quantitative data. The study revealed that main source of menstrual information was from female parents; other sources were from sisters and other fellow students. Different MHM practices used by adolescent girls were rag cloth, local pads and a few students were using sanitary pads. The MHM practices in selected primary school were inadequate due to, poor toilets, lack of safe water and changing rooms. Effects of menstruation to adolescent girls included feeling sick, uncomfortable and, feel shy; staying away from other especially and absenteeism. The study conclude that there were poor disseminations of menstrual information to adolescent girls, poor MHM practices such as using of rag cloth as absorbent materials, poor toilets and changing rooms. The study recommends adolescent girls to be provided with adequate knowledge on menstruation, provision of sanitary pads at school and improving MHM facilities such as safe water, toilets and changing rooms.enBahiMenstrual cycleAdolescentsHygiene managementPrimary schoolsMenstrual hygieneSanitary padsDodomaLocal padsMenstrual informationMenstruationMenstrual educationAcademic performanceAdolescent girlsDissertation