By Adesina Wahab

A non-governmental organization, NGO, JTF Foundation, has taken its sensitisation programme of young ladies on hygienic practices during their menstrual periods to schools in Edo State.

Speaking on the occasion held in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Miss Jesutofunmi Fayemi, said the organisation embarked on the exercise to warn on the possibilities of ladies contracting urinary tract infection and bacterial infection if the right steps were not followed during their menstrual periods.

“Apart from sensitizing the ladies, we also decided to give them sanitary pads because with the high cost of living, such things are getting out of hand for some people. We are also making them help spread our message of hygienic practices by ladies during their menstrual periods.

“The sensitization and awareness exercise is in relation to human health and safety during the period of menstruation and we focus on pupils in primary six and secondary school students and we went to Early Breed international, school, Auchi, to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day, ” she said.

A JTF volunteer, who is also a teacher, Mrs Josephine Bramah, noted that it was important for young girls to understand the importance of menstruation and to have full mastery of this phenomenon in the life of every woman.

She added that they should build courage and not to see it as a ridicule or embarrassment when it comes and knowing the health risks associated with the menstrual flow.

The guest lecturer, Mrs Esther Oshiogheme Momoh, who is a Matron from Auchi Polytechnic Cottage Hospital, Edo State, explained that it was very crucial for every girl to be conscious of their periodic menstruation to prevent health implications that might come as a result of poor hygienic practices during menstruation.

“Fungal infection is a common infection related to women and it symptoms include: vaginal itchings, burning sensation, irritation, white discharge and sometimes inflammation. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can be difficult for women especially for pregnant mothers. 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. “Bacterial infection is a type of menstrual infection also called bacterial vaginosis. It usually comes as a result of poor menstrual hygiene. Yeast infection strikes almost every woman at least once in their lifetime. It is a fungal disease caused by candida albicans. The vagina has it own biome with good bacteria to maintain the balance. So, when you are low on immunity, fungus strikes and out grows the rest of the organisms leading to an infection, ” she stated.

Mrs Momoh, however, charged the female students to be conscious and maintain menstrual practices to secure their future.

Miss Fayemi later distributed over 200 sanitary pads to students at the forum.