International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Globally, about three million women menstruate at any given time, yet an estimated five million lack access to adequate menstrual products, information, and education for proper menstrual hygiene management, reflecting significant health and knowledge gaps. Social media has emerged as an important platform for disseminating menstrual health information and promoting hygiene practices. However, limited empirical evidence exists on its use, perceived importance, and associated challenges among female students of Plateau State University, Bokkos, Nigeria.
Objective: This study assessed the use of social media for menstrual hygiene education among female students of Plateau State University, Bokkos, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 245 female students using a questionnaire and interview guide. Qualitative data were analysed using narrative analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. Results: The findings revealed extensive use of social media for menstrual hygiene education. Respondents reported using social media to obtain information on menstrual pain management, menstrual cycle tracking, symptoms requiring medical attention, menstrual stigma reduction, and the proper use, storage, cost, and effects of menstrual products. However, participants also identified the widespread circulation of misleading and unverified menstrual health information on social media platforms.
Conclusion: The study concludes that social media has become an important platform for menstrual hygiene education among female students by facilitating access to menstrual health information and promoting awareness. Nevertheless, the proliferation of inaccurate and unsubstantiated information remains a significant challenge.
Unique Contribution: The study contributes to the growing literature on social media and health communication by providing empirical evidence on the role of social media in menstrual hygiene education among female university students in Nigeria, thereby addressing an important contextual gap.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends that health educators, educational institutions, and public health agencies leverage social media to disseminate accurate, evidence-based menstrual hygiene information while strengthening mechanisms to combat misinformation on digital platforms.