The study objective was to identify and document the effectiveness of the play-based approach in promoting menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools and share lessons learned. The study used a mix of study approaches including qualitative and quantitative techniques. The writer carried out an exploratory evaluation on the promotion of MHM activities as part of WASH in Schools programmes in 120 public schools in Ghana. Comparison was drawn between 60 schools currently using the play-based approach in promoting MHM, and 60 other schools which are not using the play-based approach. Data were gathered through interview, focus group discussions, observation, and from field level reports over a six month period. The study showed that there is much potential in play-based approaches, which could accelerate and sustain the implementation of MHM in schools. More teachers and school children participate in and demonstrated considerable knowledge and were confident discussing MHM. The play-based activities also served as point of attraction for the primary school children. The study indicated positive attitudes in boys towards menstruating girls and improved personal hygiene among adolescent girls.

Children's Play Council (1998) The New Charter for Children's Play, London: NCB/Children's Society.

Crofts, T. and Fisher, J. (2012) ‘Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: and investigation of low-cost sanitary pads’, Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 2(1): 50-8 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2012.067≯

Dasgupta, A. and Sarkar, M. (2008) ‘Menstrual hygiene: how hygienic is the adolescent girl?’ Indian Journal of Community Medicine 33: 77-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.40872≯.

Greene, L. (2009) ‘SWASH+ application of lessons learned to current and future practice’, SWASH+ Programmatic Management Group Meeting 2009, Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu, Kenya.

Montgomery P, Ryus CR, Dolan CS, Dopson S, Scott LM (2012) Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls’ Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48274. <http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274≯. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274

Mooijman, A., Snel, M., Ganguly, S. and Shordt, K. (2010) Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: A WASH Guidance Manual with a Focus on South Asia, The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.

Department of Education for Northern Ireland (1996) Northern Ireland Curriculum. Key Stages 1 and 2. Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets, Belfast, HMSO.

Right To Play (2011) Health, Hygiene Education Through Play and Sport (HHETPS) Games Manual: Right To Play, supported by The Northern Regional Small Towns Water Supply Project (NORST) and The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Netherlands Development Organization/IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (2013): Study on menstrual management in Uganda. <http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf≯. http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf

UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play (2014), MHM - Manual for Trainers and Leaders, UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play.

Children's Play Council (1998) The New Charter for Children's Play, London: NCB/Children's Society.

Crofts, T. and Fisher, J. (2012) ‘Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: and investigation of low-cost sanitary pads’, Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 2(1): 50-8 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2012.067≯

Dasgupta, A. and Sarkar, M. (2008) ‘Menstrual hygiene: how hygienic is the adolescent girl?’ Indian Journal of Community Medicine 33: 77-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.40872≯.

Greene, L. (2009) ‘SWASH+ application of lessons learned to current and future practice’, SWASH+ Programmatic Management Group Meeting 2009, Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu, Kenya.

Montgomery P, Ryus CR, Dolan CS, Dopson S, Scott LM (2012) Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls’ Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48274. <http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274≯. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274

Mooijman, A., Snel, M., Ganguly, S. and Shordt, K. (2010) Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: A WASH Guidance Manual with a Focus on South Asia, The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.

Department of Education for Northern Ireland (1996) Northern Ireland Curriculum. Key Stages 1 and 2. Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets, Belfast, HMSO.

Right To Play (2011) Health, Hygiene Education Through Play and Sport (HHETPS) Games Manual: Right To Play, supported by The Northern Regional Small Towns Water Supply Project (NORST) and The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Netherlands Development Organization/IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (2013): Study on menstrual management in Uganda. <http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf≯. http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf

UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play (2014), MHM - Manual for Trainers and Leaders, UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play.

Children's Play Council (1998) The New Charter for Children's Play, London: NCB/Children's Society.

Crofts, T. and Fisher, J. (2012) ‘Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: and investigation of low-cost sanitary pads’, Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 2(1): 50-8 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2012.067≯

Dasgupta, A. and Sarkar, M. (2008) ‘Menstrual hygiene: how hygienic is the adolescent girl?’ Indian Journal of Community Medicine 33: 77-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.40872≯.

Greene, L. (2009) ‘SWASH+ application of lessons learned to current and future practice’, SWASH+ Programmatic Management Group Meeting 2009, Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu, Kenya.

Montgomery P, Ryus CR, Dolan CS, Dopson S, Scott LM (2012) Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls’ Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48274. <http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274≯. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274

Mooijman, A., Snel, M., Ganguly, S. and Shordt, K. (2010) Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: A WASH Guidance Manual with a Focus on South Asia, The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.

Department of Education for Northern Ireland (1996) Northern Ireland Curriculum. Key Stages 1 and 2. Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets, Belfast, HMSO.

Right To Play (2011) Health, Hygiene Education Through Play and Sport (HHETPS) Games Manual: Right To Play, supported by The Northern Regional Small Towns Water Supply Project (NORST) and The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Netherlands Development Organization/IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (2013): Study on menstrual management in Uganda. <http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf≯. http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf

UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play (2014), MHM - Manual for Trainers and Leaders, UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play.

Children's Play Council (1998) The New Charter for Children's Play, London: NCB/Children's Society.

Crofts, T. and Fisher, J. (2012) ‘Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: and investigation of low-cost sanitary pads’, Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 2(1): 50-8 <http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2012.067≯

Dasgupta, A. and Sarkar, M. (2008) ‘Menstrual hygiene: how hygienic is the adolescent girl?’ Indian Journal of Community Medicine 33: 77-80 <http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.40872≯.

Greene, L. (2009) ‘SWASH+ application of lessons learned to current and future practice’, SWASH+ Programmatic Management Group Meeting 2009, Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu, Kenya.

Montgomery P, Ryus CR, Dolan CS, Dopson S, Scott LM (2012) Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls’ Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study. PLoS ONE 7(10): e48274. <http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274≯. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048274

Mooijman, A., Snel, M., Ganguly, S. and Shordt, K. (2010) Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools: A WASH Guidance Manual with a Focus on South Asia, The Hague, The Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.

Department of Education for Northern Ireland (1996) Northern Ireland Curriculum. Key Stages 1 and 2. Programmes of Study and Attainment Targets, Belfast, HMSO.

Right To Play (2011) Health, Hygiene Education Through Play and Sport (HHETPS) Games Manual: Right To Play, supported by The Northern Regional Small Towns Water Supply Project (NORST) and The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Netherlands Development Organization/IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre (2013): Study on menstrual management in Uganda. <http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf≯. http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/menstrual_management_report_30.08.2013.pdf

UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play (2014), MHM - Manual for Trainers and Leaders, UNICEF Ghana and Right to Play.