By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
JTF foundation, a Lagos based non-governmental organisation in relation to human health and safety during the period of menstruation, has taken menstrual hygiene messages to the female students and primary six pupils of Early Breed International School in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
This is part of marking the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration.
Speaking at the programme on the theme “Menstrual Health and Hygiene”, the guest lecturer, Mrs Esther Oshiogheme Momoh, who is a Matron from Auchi Polytechnic Cottage Hospital, Edo state, explained that it is very crucial for every girl to be conscious of their periodic menstruation to prevent health implications that may come as a result of poor hygienic practice during menstruation.
Such as she said; fungal infection is the common infection related to women and it symptoms includes: vaginal itchings, burning sensation, irritation, white discharge and sometimes inflammation. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can be difficult for women especially for pregnant mothers.
Mrs. Momoh said UTI happens when there’s bacterial infection in the bladder, a burning sensation when one urinates and urinary emergency where people feel the need to rush to the washroom.
Momoh reiterated that bacterial infection is a type of menstrual infection also called bacterial vaginosis. It usually comes as a result of poor menstrual hygiene.
She maintained further that yeast infection strikes almost every woman at least once in their lifetime. It is a fungal disease caused by candida albicans.
The Matron opined that the vagina has it own biome with good bacteria to maintain the balance adding that so when you are low on immunity, fungus strikes and out grows the rest of the organisms leading to an infection.
She however charged the female student to be conscious and maintain menstrual practices to secure their future.
JTF volunteer and a teacher, Mrs Josephine Bramah noted that it is important for the young girls to understand the importance of menstruation and to have full mastery of this phenomenon in the life of every woman within the period of 28 to 35 days preparing them to build courage and not to see it as a ridicule or embarrassment when it comes and knowing the health risk associated with the menstrual flow if it is not carefully handled with proper hygiene.
On her part, Miss Jesutofunmi Fayemi said it has become the responsibility of stakeholders especially parents and school administrators to make available clean portable water in their school at all times to enhance proper hygiene for the young girls and ladies during their menstrual cycle.
