Yazz

As our flagship CSR project, the Lexta Teen Care Campaign aims at teaching students in Senior High Schools (SHS) how to properly cultivate good personal care and general hygiene habits in their adolescent years, a crucial phase in their development. Keeping clean is an important part of staying healthy and safe from diseases and infections. In the adolescent stage, cleanliness cannot be overemphasized owing to the numerous changes that occur as one begins adulthood. As a Company that cares, Lexta believes there is the need for more education on the importance of personal hygiene for adolescence and this led to the birth of the Lexta Teen Care Campaign. The Campaign which was launched in February 2017 is set to educate SHS students across the country on cervical cancer, menstrual hygiene and oral care. A number of clean-up competitions will be executed to keep our school environments neat and tidy. Cervical Cancer: Available statistics indicate that it is the leading cause of cancer death for women in 40 of the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. It affects younger age groups as a result of early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, and exposure to other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Thus, educating Ghanaian teenagers – both boys and girls on the dangers of cervical cancer would serve as a preventive measure aimed at reducing the infection rate of the disease in the country. Menstrual Hygiene: According to WASH United (2014), the majority of the female population who are of reproductive age in Africa do not have access to clean and safe sanitary products or a clean and private space to change their menstrual cloths or pads. Poor protection and inadequate washing facilities may increase susceptibility to infection of their reproductive tract, with the odour of menstrual blood putting girls at risk of being stigmatized. The education on menstrual hygiene is our contribution to raising awareness about the importance of practicing good menstrual hygiene. Oral Care: The World Health Organization (WHO) describes oral health as a key indicator of overall health due to its systemic and reciprocal links with general health. The mouth which is made up of the teeth, masticatory muscles, tongue, mucosal soft tissues, and salivary glands, is the body’s main portal for nutrition. It is regarded as the starting point of the body’s defense system and immunity thus, when oral health is compromised by disease or injury, general health suffers. A 2012 FDI Report indicated that across the world, 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities. Being a producer of oral care products, we recognize the health and social benefits of practicing good oral hygiene which is what necessitated this component under the Lexta Teen Care Campaign. Clean-up competitions: Poor sanitation affects public health and as a nation battling with issues of sanitation, we found it imperative to collaborate with schools by participating in their weekly and/or monthly inspections as a means of drumming home the importance of keeping their surroundings clean which goes a long way to reduce the incidence of sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A and typhoid.