NAWOJ, HEALTH PRACTITIONER TASK ADOLESCENT GIRLS ON MENSURAL HYGIENE

Reporter : CHIKA EWURUM

As countries recently marker World Menstrual Hygiene Day, a health practitioner, Mrs. Ann Ogbonna, has called on young and adolescent girls to maintain personal hygiene, especially within the five days of their menstrual period.

Mrs. Ogbonna made the call in a lecture organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), IMO State for some students of Owerri Girls Secondary School.

She encouraged young girls to use proper sanitary pad to avoid infection.

The health manager advised them to dispose used menstrual materials with adequate privacy.

According to Mrs. Ogbonna, adolescent girls from low income families tend to be less prepared for Menstrual Hygiene Management and therefore suffer from anxiety, apprehensions, fear and shame.

Mrs. Ogbonna, who is also a Nurse Educator, enjoined mothers to be close to their girl children and support them during that stage in life, especially the first timers.

She expressed regret that about 500 million women globally lacked adequate facilities for Menstrual Hygiene Management in terms of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, particularly in public places.

For her part, the Chairman IMO State NAWOJ, Dr. Dorothy Nnaji, encouraged young girls to see the arrival of their monthly period as a confirmation of their womanhood and not a sign of stagnation.

Appreciating IMO NAWOJ for their gesture, the Deputy Head Prefect of Owerri Girls Secondary School, Miss Victoria Igbo commended the organisers of the programme for choosing their school.

The principal of the school, Mrs. Christiana Nlekwa, thanked NAWOJ IMO State and charged the participants to pass the knowledge they acquired to others and also to maintain good Menstrual Hygiene.

The participants were given Menstrual Hygiene kit each after the event.