Understanding menstrual practice needs and their association with mental health symptoms among female secondary students in Uganda

Abstract

This study investigates the association between the menstrual practice needs and the mental health symptoms among female secondary students in Ugandan schools. Utilizing the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-25) to assess mental health symptoms and the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36) to measure menstrual practice needs 3,727 participants in 60 schools across two districts were selected purposively. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships, with adjustments made for potential confounders. Findings revealed a statistically significant association between lower menstrual practice needs scores and higher mental health symptom scores. Specifically, unadjusted regression coefficients indicate a decrease in SDQ score by -2.56 (p < 0.001), with an adjusted coefficient of -2.45 (p < 0.001), suggesting a higher prevalence inadequate menstrual needs and a significant relationship even after accounting for confounders. Furthermore, there is a negative association between MPNS scores and internalized mental health symptoms, with unadjusted and adjusted coefficients of -1.44 and -1.37 respectively (p < 0.001). A similar negative association is observed for externalized mental health symptoms, with unadjusted and adjusted coefficients of -1.12 and -1.09 respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, the findings underscore the importance of addressing menstrual practice needs to mitigate mental health symptoms among female secondary students in Uganda. Recommendations are included in the last chapter.