• Please use the format provided below, e.g. use bold, sentence-case text for the title of the abstract, the corresponding author’s email address should be provided in italicised text and section headings should be bold text.
• Stick to the sections as provided and limit the abstract to 250 words, if possible.
• Please use superscript numbers to indicate author affiliations. All affiliations should contain the name of the department, faculty, university, city and country.
• Please provide abbreviations in full at first mention – see MHM below

The relationship between menstrual hygiene management, practices, and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Johannesburg, South Africa

N Khamisa,1 PhD; N Nanji,2 BPH (Hons); N Tshuma,3 PhD; J Kagura,4 PhD

1 Division of Health and Society, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

2 School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

3 The Best Health Solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa

4 Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the   Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Introduction. Factors associated with menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and practices affect school absenteeism, with up to 7 million girls missing 25% of their given school year each month in South Africa (SA).

Objective. To identify the most significant factors associated with MHM and practices affecting school absenteeism among adolescents in Johannesburg, SA.

Methods. A secondary data analyses of a cross sectional study among 489 adolescent girls from 30 schools in Johannesburg, SA was conducted. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistical regression analysis was conducted for all variables affecting school absenteeism using STATA version 14.

Results. Female adolescents who had pre-menarcheal training were more likely to attend school (odds ratio (OR) 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 - 3.73; p= 0.038). Those who disposed of their absorbent materials by burning, throwing them by the roadside or on farmland were almost 2× more likely to be absent from school (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.05 - 4.08; p= 0.038). Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) was associated with higher likelihood of being absent from school (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.29 - 5.29; p=0.008).

Conclusion. This present study reveals that MHM and practices related to school absenteeism extend beyond the availability of sanitary materials. These findings can be used to create dialogue between various stakeholders about best practices for reducing school absenteeism related to MHM.