An investigation exploring whether poor menstrual health management causes school learners’ absenteeism, in Ward 4 of the Senqu District Municipality, of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Abstract

Menstruation is a biological process during puberty, which is influenced by religious and cultural beliefs, some of which view it as dirty and polluted. Menstrual Health Management (MHM) is crucial in managing menstruation in public spaces, but it faces challenges in low-income countries where resources for managing menstruation are scarce. Poor MHM practices, especially in developing countries, can lead to school absenteeism for female learners. The literature highlights factors affecting MHM in rural areas, including poor school records, poor information on the biological process of menstruation, poor access to sanitary materials, and poor infrastructure. Globally, MHM and its link to school attendance have received attention, but most of the research that has been conducted has not considered how several factors such as societal stigma, poor infrastructure, and economic barriers intersect. Most of the research conducted focuses on the accessibility of sanitary products but has not focused on how cultural beliefs, educational initiatives, and school infrastructure affect the attendance of female learners. This study aims to address these issues by examining the lived experiences of fifteen female learners, fifteen educators, fifteen parents, and three officials from the Department of Basic Education through semi-structured interviews. The study found that female learners in Ward 4 of the Senqu district municipality do not miss school due to poor MHM. However, poor MHM was found in the exploration of three themes: menstrual taboos, education and awareness, access to and affordability of sanitary products, and infrastructure (toilet facilities, water, hygiene, and disposal products). Poor education and awareness initiatives are prevalent, leading to unhygienic alternatives like using clothes and old rags/t-shirts, risking reproductive health. Inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and inadequate toilet facilities and hygiene products exacerbate gender inequalities. Educational initiatives are necessary to demystify menstruation and dispel taboos, along with consistent provision of sanitary products and infrastructure facilities. Government intervention through existing institutions is imperative for addressing these disparities, assisting female learners in having a better experience at school. The study contributes to cultural theories of health behavior by exploring how cultural norms and stigma surrounding menstruation influence health practices and educational outcomes. It will enrich gender and development theories by emphasising the role of menstrual health management in women's empowerment and socio-economic development. The research will advance intersectionality theory by examining how multiple factors, such as poverty, gender, and cultural beliefs, intersect to create unique challenges for girls in different contexts, providing a framework for understanding the complex ways these factors combine to affect school attendance.