ACEWM PhD Candidate Yimenu Adane Successfully Defended his Dissertation

The Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) proudly announces that PhD candidate Yimenu Adane has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation titled “Factors Influencing Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools of Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.” The defense marks a significant academic achievement and a vital contribution to public health and education research in Ethiopia.

Conducted between March 2022 and August 2023, Yimenu’s mixed-methods research investigated critical factors affecting menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among schoolgirls in Bahir Dar City. Drawing data from 701 schoolgirls, parents, and key stakeholders, the study uncovered persistent challenges including inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, deeply rooted socio-cultural taboos, and limited institutional support.

Key findings reveal that only 53.5% of surveyed girls practiced good MHM, a figure significantly influenced by parental education (mothers: AOR=26.29; fathers: AOR=19.21), urban residence (AOR=6.43), and access to proper sanitation facilities (AOR=21.02). The study also found that 55.5% of girls missed school during their menstrual periods, averaging 2.08 days per month, primarily due to lack of adequate WASH facilities (OR=0.35), socio-cultural restrictions (OR=0.54), and menstrual pain (OR=2.51).

Qualitative interviews underscored the urgent need for pre-menarche education, reduction of social stigma, and community-wide awareness. Yimenu’s dissertation recommends targeted interventions such as improved WASH infrastructure in schools, educational campaigns to dismantle taboos, and policy reforms that prioritize menstrual health in the national education agenda.

The research was supervised by Prof. Argaw Ambelu (Addis Ababa University), with co-supervision by Dr. Muluken Azega (Bahir Dar University), Prof. Yalemtsehay Mekonnen, and Dr. Taddesse Kassahaun (both from Addis Ababa University). The defense session was chaired by Dr. Beteley Tekola ( Addis Ababa University) and examined by Dr. Adey Feleke (internal examiner, Addis Ababa University) and Prof. Muluemebet Abera (external examiner, Jimma University).

Yimenu Adane’s work adds critical insight to the ongoing discourse around gender equity in education and public health, especially in low-resource settings. His findings pave the way for evidence-based interventions that could improve the educational outcomes and well-being of thousands of Ethiopian schoolgirls.