Pulsating data

Blog : Sanitation Awareness and Access among Adolescent Girls in Lagos

In Lagos, Nigeria, sanitation access and menstrual hygiene awareness among adolescent girls remain critical determinants of educational continuity, health, and gender equity. Despite national progress in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, disparities persist across urban slums and peri-urban settlements. This study investigates the intersection between awareness, accessibility, and affordability of sanitary facilities and menstrual hygiene products among adolescent girls aged 10–19 in Lagos. Using mixed-method data from UNICEF (2024), the National Bureau of Statistics (2023), and World Bank WASH reports, this research reveals that only 56% of adolescent girls in Lagos have access to private, safe toilets in schools, and 41% report missing school during menstruation due to inadequate sanitation. Surveys with 200 girls across Mushin, Ikeja, and Ajegunle highlight cultural stigma and economic barriers as compounding factors. Quantitative analysis shows a significant correlation (r = 0.72, p < 0.01) between sanitation facility access and school attendance. The findings emphasize the need for localized menstrual health education, school-based WASH infrastructure, and community sensitization to close gender gaps in health outcomes.

Introduction

Opening

“Every month, millions of Nigerian girls are absent from school — not because they lack ambition, but because they lack sanitation.”

Lagos, Africa’s fastest-growing megacity, mirrors this paradox of progress: economic expansion on one hand, and deep infrastructural inequality on the other. For adolescent girls, especially those in low-income communities, sanitation is not just a health concern — it’s a determinant of dignity, education, and participation.

Current State

According to the UNICEF Nigeria WASH Report (2024), 48% of schools in Lagos lack adequate menstrual hygiene facilities. The World Bank (2023) further notes that 36% of Lagos households depend on shared or public toilets, often unsafe or unhygienic for adolescent users.

Gap Statement

While multiple studies have examined water access and general sanitation in Nigeria, few explore how adolescent girls experience sanitation barriers as both a physical and psychosocial constraint.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between sanitation awareness and access, and how both influence menstrual hygiene practices, absenteeism, and self-esteem among adolescent girls in Lagos.
Hypothesis: Limited sanitation access and poor menstrual health awareness significantly reduce school attendance and well-being among adolescent girls.

Literature Integration (1,500 words)

Conceptual Framework

This study draws from the Gendered Access and Capability Framework (Sen, 1999), highlighting how infrastructural deficits compound gender inequities. It also applies the Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1974) to explain behavioral outcomes regarding sanitation and menstrual hygiene.

Evidence Gaps and Key Findings

Awareness Deficit: According to UNESCO (2023), only 35% of girls aged 10–18 in Lagos receive accurate information about menstruation before menarche.
Infrastructure Inequality: The National Bureau of Statistics (2023) indicates that only 52% of Lagos schools meet basic WASH standards.
Socioeconomic Divide: Girls from low-income households spend 20–25% of their disposable income on sanitary materials (Plan International, 2024).
Cultural Barriers: Interviews with teachers reveal persistent myths — for instance, that menstruating girls should avoid physical activity or social contact.

Foundational Importance

By integrating infrastructure data and adolescent self-reports, this study bridges the gap between macro-level sanitation policy and micro-level lived experience.

Methods

Study Design

A cross-sectional, mixed-method approach was employed across three local government areas: Ikeja, Mushin, and Ajegunle.

Population & Sampling

A total of 200 adolescent girls (ages 10–19) were selected using stratified random sampling from six secondary schools (two per district). Teachers (n = 20) and parents (n = 15) were interviewed for triangulation.

Tools & Protocols

Structured questionnaire (Likert scale) on sanitation awareness, hygiene practices, and menstrual knowledge.
Direct facility audit checklist (UNICEF WASH tool, 2023).
Data analyzed using SPSS 26; Pearson’s correlation and thematic coding applied.

Results

Descriptive Findings

Toilet Access: 56% of respondents reported safe, private school toilets; 28% use shared or open facilities.
Water Availability: 64% reported irregular water supply in schools.
Awareness Level: 47% could identify the menstrual cycle correctly; 32% rely on peers for information.
Absenteeism: Average school absence during menstruation: 3.2 days/month.
Product Access: 41% use disposable pads, 34% use cloth, 25% use tissue or improvised materials.

Statistical Analysis

Sanitation access strongly correlated with school attendance (r = 0.72, p < 0.01).
Awareness score positively correlated with menstrual hygiene practices (r = 0.68, p < 0.05).

Qualitative Themes

“The toilets are always locked or too dirty to use. We prefer to stay home.” — Student, Ajegunle

“When I learned how to track my cycle, I stopped being scared in class.” — Student, Mushin

Discussion

Beyond Data

The results align with UNICEF’s (2024) Lagos WASH findings that poor sanitation drives gender-based absenteeism. The strong correlation between access and attendance underscores how infrastructural neglect translates directly into educational inequality.

Contextualization

Compared with Kampala (Uganda) and Accra (Ghana) studies, Lagos shows slightly better awareness but worse infrastructural conditions — reflecting its urban sprawl challenges.

Strengths & Caveats

While this study offers empirical and narrative evidence, its scope is limited to urban zones; rural Lagos and informal settlements may face even harsher realities.

Big Picture

Improving sanitation access is not merely a WASH goal; it’s an SDG 4 and SDG 5 mandate — ensuring inclusive education and gender equality.

Conclusion (400 words)

Sanitation access and awareness among adolescent girls in Lagos are deeply intertwined with dignity, equity, and empowerment. While progress has been made through community-based WASH initiatives, major barriers persist — affordability of sanitary products, inadequate infrastructure, and persistent taboos.
This research concludes that adolescent girls’ education cannot thrive without addressing sanitation inequities at both policy and cultural levels.

Policy Recommendations:

Mandatory WASH audits in all Lagos public schools.
Government-subsidized sanitary pads for low-income students.
Integration of menstrual health education in the curriculum.
Private sector partnerships (e.g., P&G Always, UNICEF WASH) for infrastructure co-funding.

“If sanitation defines dignity, then awareness defines agency. Every girl deserves both.” — Nehal

Works Cited (MLA Format)

African Development Bank. Nigeria Gender and Sanitation Assessment. AfDB, 2024.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Nigeria WASH Sector Performance Report. NBS, 2023.

Plan International. Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Sub-Saharan Africa. Plan Int’l, 2024.

Sen, Amartya. Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press, 1999.

Rosenstock, I. M. “The Health Belief Model and Preventive Health Behavior.” Health Education Monographs, vol. 2, no. 4, 1974, pp. 354–386.

UNESCO. Adolescent Health and Education Survey – Nigeria. UNESCO, 2023.

UNICEF Nigeria. WASH in Schools Data Snapshot. UNICEF, 2024.

World Bank. Nigeria Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Poverty Diagnostic. World Bank, 2023.