Role of School Health Education in Promoting Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Female Students in Kogi State

Menstrual hygiene management is a key component of adolescent health that is often overlooked in Nigerian secondary schools. This study investigated the role of school health education in promoting menstrual hygiene management among female students in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, with 280 female students from junior and senior secondary schools in Lokoja, Kabba/Bunu, and Ofu local government areas serving as respondents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and focused group discussion guides. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents had limited accurate information about the physiological basis of menstruation, with myths and cultural misconceptions prevailing in rural areas. School health education sessions were found to be infrequent, largely informal, and not standardised across schools. Less than 30 percent of students reported access to adequate sanitary facilities, and disposal mechanisms for used sanitary materials were poor in most schools. Girls who had received structured menstrual health education were more confident in managing their periods and less likely to miss school during menstruation. The study recommended integrating standardised menstrual hygiene management content into school health curricula, improving toilet and water facilities in schools, and training female teachers to serve as menstrual health champions. Keywords: menstrual hygiene, school health education, female students, Kogi State, adolescent health