Appendices
Appendix 1: Research questions Meaning and interpretation
1. In your opinion is there or are you aware of any stigma attached to menstruation? If so, what is your perception about the stigma?
2. In your opinion is menstruation viewed as a delicate/secretive topic within the school classroom? How do the learners react when the topic is discussed?
3. As a teacher have you ever had to assist a menstruating schoolgirl? If so, what support were you able to give her?
Attitude
1. Do you think that menstruation could currently be a barrier for schoolgirls participating in school activities? If so, what do you think the reasons are?
2. Have you ever had an incident in the classroom where a schoolgirl has reported that she has started her period and feels uncomfortable? If so, how did you handle the situation?
Knowledge
1. How and where should boys and girls be educated about menstruation and hygiene management?
2. Do you find it challenging as male/female teacher to educate boys and girls at school about menstruation?
3. Where and how did you gain your personal knowledge of menstruation, and at what stage of your life?
Support system
1. Is there a staff member at the school who is particularly responsible for the availability and provision of sanitary products? If so, does the staff know who that staff member is?
2. Does the school experience any lack of facilities such as bathroom, water, sanitation and waste disposal bins? If so, what and why?
3. What type of waste disposal system does the school currently have in place?
4. What facilities does the school have available, if necessary, for menstruation related ailments?
5. Do you think that a sick room can assist with menstruation? If so, how?
144 6. Do you as a teacher encourage the student organisations to initiate the sharing of knowledge and collection/ donation of sanitary products in the school environment? If so, give details.
7. Do you think it is important for every teacher to participate in the education of boys and girls about menstruation? If yes, how would you suggest the teacher should do it?
145 Appendix 2: Contents page of The National Health Promotion Policy and Strategies
146 Appendix 3: Contents page of a Grade seven Life Skills book
147 Appendix 4: Letter of ethical approval for the research
06/10/2020 Sharon Bloem
Email: [email protected] Review Reference: 2020-0831-3232 Dear Prof Micheal Drewett
Title: A sociological study of menstrual hygiene management in schools in the Makana District, Eastern Cape, South Africa Principal Investigator: Prof Micheal Drewett
Collaborators: Mrs. Sharon Gretchen Bloem,
This letter confirms that the above research proposal has been reviewed and APPROVED by the Rhodes University Human Ethics Committee (RU-HEC). Your Approval number is: 2020-0831-3232
Approval has been granted for 1 year. An annual progress report will be required in order to renew approval for an additional period. You will receive an email notifying when the annual report is due.
Please ensure that the ethical standards committee is notified should any substantive change(s) be made, for whatever reason, during the research process. This includes changes in investigators. Please also ensure that a brief report is submitted to the ethics committee on the completion of the research. The purpose of this report is to indicate whether the research was conducted successfully, if any aspects could not be completed, or if any problems arose that the ethical standards committee should be aware of. If a thesis or dissertation arising from this research is submitted to the library’s electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) repository, please notify the committee of the date of submission and/or any reference or cataloging number allocated.
Sincerely,
Prof Arthur Webb
Chair: Rhodes University Human Ethics Committee, RU-HEC cc: Mr. Siyanda Manqele - Ethics Coordinator
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148 Appendix 5: Public primary school
Top left: Dysfunctional toilet Top right: Broken door
Bottom left: Unlocked toilet door Bottom right: Hand sanitiser
149 Top left: Handwash basin
Top right: Ablution facility outside the main school building Bottom left: Dysfunctional sick room
Bottom right: One of two available water tanks
150 Top left: Toilet without seat cover
Top right: Handwash basins Bottom: No toilet doors
151 Non-functional sick room
152 Appendix 6: Public high school in partnership with an NGO
Top and bottom: Water tanks connected to the main water system Bottom right: Stretcher used as a sick bed in the staff room
153 Top left: New renovated toilet and small bin for used sanitary towels
Top right: Locked toilet door Bottom left: Handwash basins
Bottom right: Water tanks connected to the borehole water
154 Appendix 7: Public high school
Top left: No seat cover and lid Top right: Window close with brick
Bottom left: One sanitary waste disposal container in one ablution facility Bottom right: Window closed with a brick in the toilet facility
155 Top: One of two water tanks not connected to the main water system
Bottom: Sick bed in a storeroom
156 Top left: Disabled toilet utilised to store 5 litre water bottles
Top right: Gate stored in the ablution facility
Bottom left: Toilet without lid and a small bin for used sanitary towels Bottom right: One of the sanitation facilities
157 Appendix 8: Semi-public school
Top left: Locked toilet door
Top right: One of the water tanks connected to the main water system Bottom right: Borehole
Bottom right: A chair where the learners wait for their parents when they are unwell.
158 Top left: Functional toilet and sanitary waste disposal container
Top right: Hand towel available in the bathroom Bottom left: Hand wash toilets
Bottom right: Black water container used to flush toilets when load shedding occur
159 Appendix 9: Private primary and high school
Top left: Functional toilet Top right: Locked toilet door
Bottom left: Sanitary waste disposal container and toilet paper Bottom right: Handwash basins and hand towel
160 Top: Handwash basins
Bottom left: Available water tanks
Bottom right: Water pump connected water tanks with the main water system
161 Top left: Functional toilet and sanitary waste disposal container
Top right: Toilet paper
Bottom left: Locked toilet door
Bottom right: Handwash basin with a granite top in the female bathrooms
162 Top left: Handwash basin
Top right: Hand towel Bottom left: Shower
Bottom right: Functional toilet and sanitary waste disposal container