Menstrual Hygiene: Cameroon releases survey results

Menstrual hygiene is an important aspect of the sexuality of women; yet, its management remains a taboo in several countries in the world. Access to information is limited and knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviours in this domain are either unknown or undocumented. It is in this light that a one-day workshop to present the results of study on menstrual hygiene in the South and West Regions of Cameroon, held in Yaounde on November 3, 2015. Speaking at the opening, the Representative of UN Women Cameroon, Adama Moussa, called on participants to make use of the findings for their advocacy purposes. 

The study was entitled, “Menstrual Management: Behaviour and Practices in Kye-Ossi and Bamoungoum, Cameroon.” The key findings show that there is a low level of knowledge on menstrual hygiene management for both those in school and out of school. Similarly, school facilities used by women are poorly maintained and are sparsely used by girls, even during menstruation. The general absence of menstrual pad disposal solutions has a negative impact on the livelihoods of women, the report notes.

The study was conducted in 2014 in Kye-Ossi the South and Bamoungoum in the West Regions; two localities with very different socio-cultural profiles. It looked at menstrual hygiene management-related practices and behaviour and analysed infrastructure and public policies concerning water and sanitation. It also checked the availability and relevance of information on menstrual hygiene management and evaluated the impact on hygiene practices, people’s living conditions, heath education and the employment of women and girls.