REVIEW article
Front. Reprod. Health
Sec. Adolescent Reproductive Health and Well-being
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/frph.2025.1553101
Factors Influencing Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Adolescent Girls in African Rural Schools: Scoping Review
Provisionally accepted- 1Limpopo Department of Health, Polokwane, South Africa
- 2University of Limpopo, Sovenga, Limpopo, South Africa
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Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a critical component of adolescent health and wellbeing, particularly in rural African schools where cultural, economic, and infrastructural challenges persist. This scoping review followed the steps proposed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) to explore the factors influencing menstrual hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices among adolescent girls in rural African settings. The review systematically analysed literature conducted in diverse African rural public schools. Findings reveal that many adolescent schoolgirls lack comprehensive knowledge about menstruation, due to unreliable or insufficient sources of menstrual hygiene management information and unpreparedness for menarche. Furthermore, their menstrual hygiene practices are shaped by various sociocultural and religious influences. There is also resource limitation, related to availability and cost of menstrual hygiene management supplies, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in rural schools. These challenges have a significant impact on school attendance, academic performance, and the overall quality of life for adolescent girls. This review practice emphasises the importance of multi-sectoral approaches in supporting adolescent girls in rural African schools and advocates for further research to address persistent knowledge and practice gaps. There is also a need for integrated interventions, including menstrual health education, improved WASH infrastructure, and the provision of affordable menstrual products. Addressing these factors holistically can enhance menstrual hygiene management, reduce stigma, and promote gender equality in education.
Keywords: Menstrual hygiene, Adolescent girls, Rural schools, Africa, knowledge, attitudes, Practices, factors
Received: 30 Dec 2024; Accepted: 21 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Tshivule, Rasweswe, Mothiba and Bopape. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Mosotho Zenia Tshivule, Limpopo Department of Health, Polokwane, South Africa
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