Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Women of Reproductive Age in Nakuru City, Kenya
This study of 330 women in Nakuru City, Kenya, reveals that while personal hygiene knowledge is adequate, menstrual waste disposal is predominantly high-risk due to infrastructural deficits, and the adoption of sustainable alternatives is hindered by low awareness, cultural taboos, and negative attitudes toward reusable products.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
Imagine your body has a monthly visitor called "The Period." For most women in Nakuru City, Kenya, managing this visitor is a bit like running a high-stakes, invisible logistics operation. A new study by Emily Kimani and her team at Egerton University took a deep dive into how 330 women in this city handle this monthly event, looking at what they know, how they feel, and what they actually do.
Here is the story of their findings, served up with a side of reality.
The Great Comfort vs. The Invisible Cost
First, let's talk about the tools of the trade. The study found that 85.5% of the women are using disposable sanitary pads. Why? It's a mix of comfort, cost, and availability. Think of it like choosing a disposable paper plate for a picnic: it's easy, you don't have to wash it, and it's right there in the store.
The women said they chose these pads because they are "comfortable" (26.7%), "affordable" (14.5%), and "easy to dispose of" (14.2%). Interestingly, almost no one (0.3%) mentioned the environment as a reason for their choice. It's as if the women are driving a car that runs on plastic, and while they love the smooth ride, they haven't really thought about the smoke coming out the back.
The Knowledge Gap: The "Silent" Products
Now, imagine a menu at a restaurant where the main dish is "Disposable Pads," but the other items on the menu are written in invisible ink. That's the situation with sustainable alternatives like menstrual cups and washable pads.
The study suggests a massive information gap.
- 57.9% of the women had knowledge gaps about tampons.
- 68.7% had knowledge gaps about menstrual cups.
It's not that they hate these products; it's that they often don't even know they exist or how they work. When asked why they don't use them, a huge chunk of women (45.6% for washable pads, 48.0% for cups) said, "No specific reason." This suggests a cultural silence, a sort of "we just don't talk about it" vibe that keeps these alternatives off the table.
Some women did express curiosity. About 20.3% were willing to try a menstrual cup, and 2.4% said they'd like to try tampons. These are the "early adopters," the ones ready to try a new flavor if someone just hands them a spoon and explains how it works.
The "Clean" Paradox
Here is a twist in the story: The women are actually very good at personal hygiene. 87.9% of them practice ideal hygiene, like bathing frequently and changing their pads often. They are keeping themselves clean and comfortable.
However, there is a paradox. By changing their pads so often (which is great for their health), they are generating a lot of waste. And because they are using disposable pads, that waste is piling up. It's like washing your hands perfectly but then throwing the soap suds into a river.
The Disposal Dilemma: Where Does the Trash Go?
This is where the plot thickens. Once the pad is used, where does it go? The study found that 78.4% of the women are using disposal methods that are considered "moderate to high risk" for the environment and public health.
Let's look at the "trash map":
- 29.4% throw them into pit latrines (like a hole in the ground).
- 26.1% toss them into general household garbage.
- 5.8% burn them.
- 5.2% flush them down the toilet.
Only 2.7% have access to special sanitary bins at home and work.
The study argues that this isn't because the women want to pollute. In fact, 38.5% of them said their reason for choosing a disposal method was simply: "This is what is available/most suitable in our area." It's not a choice; it's a survival tactic. If the only bin in town is a general garbage can, and the only toilet is a pit latrine, that's where the pad goes.
The study explicitly rules out the idea that women are ignoring the environment out of laziness. Instead, it suggests that infrastructure deficits are the real villain. Without special bins, without safe incinerators, and without clear instructions, women are forced to adapt to whatever system is broken around them.
The "No-Go" Zone: Attitudes and Taboos
There are also some deep-seated feelings at play. The study found strong attitudes against reusable products. 71.7% of women had negative or neutral views toward washable pads. Many found them "uncomfortable, bulky, and unhygienic" (21.6%).
There's also a fear of being seen. Some women said it's "wrong to dispose where people can see" (1.8%). This fear drives them to hide their waste, sometimes leading to risky behaviors like burning it in the backyard (which releases toxic fumes) or flushing it (which clogs pipes).
The Bottom Line
So, what's the verdict? The study suggests that women in Nakuru City are doing a great job keeping themselves clean, but they are stuck in a system that makes it hard to be environmentally friendly.
- What is proven/measured: The high use of disposable pads (85.5%), the high rate of risky disposal (78.4%), and the lack of knowledge about alternatives (57.9%–68.7% gaps).
- What is suggested: The idea that if we just built better bins and taught women about cups and washable pads, things would change. The study suggests that infrastructure is the main barrier, not a lack of willingness.
- What is ruled out: The idea that women are choosing to pollute because they don't care. The data shows they are choosing based on what is available.
The authors conclude that we can't just tell women to "do better." We need to fix the plumbing, build the bins, and break the silence so that the "invisible ink" on the menu of sustainable products finally becomes visible. Until then, the monthly visitor will keep arriving, and the waste will keep piling up, simply because there's nowhere else to put it.
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