Sanitary products such as pads, tampons and menstrual cups are essential for maintaining good menstrual hygiene.
However, the high cost of these products in Ghana leaves many girls and adolescent women unable to afford them, which can have a negative effect on their reproductive health, primary health care and education.
In this article, we will examine the impact of rising sanitary product prices on adolescent reproductive health, basic health care and education in Ghana, and provide statistical analysis to support our findings.
The background
Ghana has a population of over 30 million, with adolescent girls making up a significant percentage of the population.
Menstrual hygiene management is an important issue for adolescent girls in Ghana, as many cannot afford sanitary products.
According to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
In Ghana, an estimated 95 percent of girls cannot afford sanitary products, leading to poor menstrual hygiene management and the risk of reproductive health problems.
Impact on Adolescent Reproductive Health
The inability to provide sanitary products can have a negative impact on adolescent reproductive health.
Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections such as bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections.
According to a study conducted by SMART HUB, a youth leadership group registered with the Volta Regional Youth Authority in Ghana, poor management of menstrual hygiene is associated with increased risk of discharge, itching, and bad odor.
The study also found that teenage girls who can’t afford sanitary products are more likely to reuse pads, which can increase the risk of infection.
Impact on basic health care
The high cost of sanitary products can also have a negative impact on primary health care.
Many girls and adolescent women in Ghana cannot afford sanitary products, meaning they are more likely to miss appointments for check-ups and screening tests.
This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health problems, which can have serious consequences.
Impact on education
The inability to provide sanitary products can also have a negative impact on education. Many adolescent girls in Ghana do not attend school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
This can lead to poor academic performance and dropout rates.
According to a study conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), girls who skip school during their menstrual cycle are more likely to drop out of school.
Statistical analysis
To examine the impact of rising prices of sanitary products on adolescent reproductive health, primary health care and education in Ghana, SMART HUB surveyed 500 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years from different parts of Ghana.
The survey was conducted between January and March 2022, and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 27.
The results of the survey show that 80 percent of adolescent girls in Ghana cannot afford sanitary products, and 60 percent of them are reported to miss school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.
The survey also found that 70 percent of girls who could not afford sanitary products used cloth or old clothes during their menstrual cycle, and 50 percent reported having infections such as bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections.
Conclusion
The high cost of sanitary products in Ghana leaves many girls and adolescent women unable to afford them, which can have negative effects on their reproductive health, primary health care and education.
Inability to purchase sanitary products can lead to poor menstrual hygiene management, increased risk of reproductive health problems, delayed diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health problems, poor academic performance and school dropout rates.
Therefore, the government and stakeholders should act to reduce the cost of sanitary products and increase access to menstrual hygiene products for girls and adolescent women in Ghana.
The author is a Level 400 student physician assistant,
(General Secretary of TEIN-UHAS)
Source: graphiconline.com
| Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not reflect Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no legal or other responsibility for the accuracy of the content. Please report inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a priority. |
Featured Videos