Table 1 Characteristics of study participants, Menstrual Solutions Pilot study, Western Kenya, 2012–2013
Characteristic at enrolment | Number (%), N = 192 |
|---|---|
Class at time of enrolment | |
 5 | 14 (7.3) |
 6 | 47 (24.5) |
 7 | 108 (56.3) |
 8 | 23 (12.0) |
Age at enrolment, years | |
 14 | 93 (48.4) |
 15 | 80 (41.7) |
 16 | 19 (9.9) |
 Mean age (sd), years | 14.6 (0.7) |
Socio-economic status household of girlsa | |
 Poorest 2 SES quintiles | 22 (11.5) |
 Higher 3 SES quintiles | 138 (71.9) |
 No information | 32 (16.7) |
Age at menarche in yearsb | |
 Mean age at menarche (sd) | 13.5 (1.0) n = 188 |
   < 13 | 20 (10.6) |
  13 | 63 (33.5) |
  14 | 81 (43.1) |
  15 | 24 (12.8) |
Mean days of bleeding (sd) | 3.7, sd 1.4, range 2–14 |
Days of bleeding | |
  ≤ 5 | 172 (89.6) |
 6–7 | 18 (9.4) |
  > 7 | 2 (1.0) |
Amount of bleeding | |
 Heavy | 40 (20.8) |
 Medium | 96 (50.0) |
 Light | 56 (29.2) |
Cramps when menstruating | Any: 119 (62.0) |
 Mild cramps | 59 (30.7) |
 Moderate cramps | 30 (15.6) |
 Severe cramps | 30 (15.6) |
Material used for menstruation before enrolment | |
 Used some pads | 169 (88.0) |
 Used cloths | 21 (10.9) |
 Used other items | 2 (1.0) |