Effects of lack of sanitary towel among the primary girls in Wajir county

Abstract

The study was carried in Wajir to assess the effect of lack of sanitary towel among the primary girls in Wajir Count. The study was guided by the following objectives; to find out the social economic status of parents with school going girls in Wajir county, to find out the effects of lack of sanitary towels on education of girls in primary schools in Wajir County, to assess the relationship between lack of sanitary towels and performance of girls in primary schools in Wajir county. The study used descriptive research design to carry the research.The study used Purposive sampling to select the respondent who were pupils aged between 10-20 years The researcher used questionnaire as instruments for data collection. Data collected was sorted, coded and analysed using Statistical package for social sciences into frequency and tables. Data was presented in form of bargraphs, pie charts for easy interpretation, from the study findings the following was concluded:-The study found out that majority of teachers in the area of study were above 35 years meaning they were also parents with children in primary and so knew the needs of girl children both in school and at home. Teachers were well qualified as all of them were trained teachers and had good experience in teaching profession. Majority of parents in the area of study were of low social economic status this hindering them from be concerned on their primary school girls menstrual period. They lacked finances to buying them sanitary pads. They also lacked knowledge on needs of primary girls children’s personal needs. Majority of primary school girls sometimes miss classes when undergoing menstrual period because of lack due to lack of sanitary pads and mostly those from poor families. Missing important lessons negatively affect their performance. The common effect of lack of sanitary towels according to the study was lack of concentration when one is going through menstrual period, others major effects included absenteeism, missing classes, withdrawal and shame & embarrassment. There was great relationship between lack of sanitary towels and the performance of primary school girls. Primary school girls who lacked sanitary towels performed dismally.