By Kemi Olatunde

|

The need to embrace proper menstrual hygiene especially among adolescent have  been stressed.

Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu spoke during an interview with The Hope in commemoration of the World Menstrual Hygiene day in Akure on Monday.

According to him, the day which is celebrated on the 28th day of May every year, is used for the sensitisation of the public on reasons for maintaining hygiene during menstruation which he described as an event in the lives of girls/women.

He explained that improper menstrual flow management can lead to infection especially with the use of unhygienic menstrual materials.

He advised that they embrace the use of recommended menstrual sanitary pads as against the use of toilet papers which according to him can be dangerous to their health.

Leading a team to various schools in Akure to educate the girl child, Coordinator, Sexual Reproductive Health, OSPHCDA, Dr. Rosemary Adegbulu noted that it is important that girls stand tall and menstruate with pride.

According to her, menstruation starts at puberty (10 – 15 years) stating that it is normal and healthy part of life. She explained that during the menstrual cycle, an egg is released monthly which if not fertilized brings about menstruation.

She said that it doesn’t make them unclean stating that they should not avoid mingling with others during the period.

She stated that it is important that they shun the myth that menstrual cramps is cured with sex or taking of hard drinks noting that cases of serious cramps should be reported at health facilities for proper medical check.

She mentioned the use of well packaged and ironed clean pieces of cloth as an alternative only if it can be adequately maintained through proper washing with soap and water and sun dry.

She  stressed the need for abstinence from sex to prevent pregnancy and reproductive and urinary tract infections and advised that they walk freely and take menstruation as a thing of pride.

Also speaking, Adolescent Desk Officer of the Agency, Opeyemi Agunbiade while describing menstruation as the monthly discharge of blood from the vagina noted that the normal cycle ranges between 21 and 35 days adding that the normal days for menstrual flow is between 3 to 7 days.

She stressed the importance of hand washing with soap and water adding that they should ensure regular changing of pad at four hour interval to prevent infection saying “during changing, the vulva should be well cleaned with water.

“Don’t clean your bombom from the anus to the vagina during defecation so as to prevent infection. You have to drink a lot of water and eat nutritious meal in order to make the body fit for the next period. You should also sleep well during this period.”

However, she berated the use of toilet papers by some girls noting that it could be dangerous to their health.

Addressing the students in one of the schools visited; Akure Muslim College, Akure, Vice Principal Academics, Mrs Juliana Ojukwu stated that they should not be absent from school due to menstruation adding that they should always be conscious of the hygienic nature of it.

She expressed appreciation to the team adding that they students have been well impacted.