Factors influencing age at menarche – a school based cross sectional study (original) (raw)
Age at Menarche and Factors That Influences It
IOSR Journals , 2019
Background: The age at menarche as well as other changes that occur during puberty are actually due to major and specific hormonal changes that occur in the body at puberty. The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting the age at menarche in this environment, and obtain an actual reliable data on the age at menarche. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Yenegoa, Bayelsa state. Random sampling method was used and Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire on menstruation. This study investigated the age at menarche of 400 secondary school girls between the ages of 10-20 years. This research was carried out under the supervision of the research team. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 13. Result: results showed that a girl from a high socioeconomic class (SEC) had a mean menarcheal age (MA) of 12.84±1.07, middleSEC had 13.36± 1.30 and low SEC had 13.65±1.5. Girls exposed to rich diet from childhood had mean MAof 12.91±1.12, those of average diet 13.26±1.30, and those with poor diet 13.61±1.24. Girls exposed to stress factor had a meanMA of 13.20±1.22, those without stress factor had mean MAof 13.18±1.28. Conclusion: This study showed that parameters such as socioeconomic group, dietary type and developmental status have influence on the age at menarche, while stress factor had no influence on age at menarche.
Age at menarche and the related issue: A pilot study on urban school girls
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1984
Age at onset of menarche was determined for a group of newly menstruating urban schoolgirls in Bangladesh. Their age at onset of menarche was cotv'elated with their weight, height, and per capita food expenditure (PFE). Results indicated that these girls began menstruation at 12.67 years of age, which is well ahead of rural girls. Age at onset of menarche was positively correlated with weight and negatively correlated with PFE. A strong inverse relation between weight and height of newly menstruating girls indicated the existence of some unstable trend in their physiological processes.
Age of menarche among basic level school girls in Medina, Accra : original research article
African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2011
The current study was designed to determine the age at which menarche occurs among school girls in Madina, Accra. A survey was conducted among 529 girls selected using multi-stage sampling from basic schools in Madina, Accra. Respondents completed a questionnaire that recorded age-at-first menstruation by recall, household characteristics, and anthropometry. Mean age at menarche was 12.74 ± 1.15 years; probit analysis yielded a median age of 12.09 years. Menarcheal age was significantly correlated with current age (r=0.48; p<0.01). Most girls (90%) had first menstruation before age 13. Their mothers' mean age at menarche was 13.6 ± 1.08 years. In a multivariate linear regression model, household wealth (p<0.01) and body mass index (p<0.01) were the main modifiable independent predictors of age at onset of menarche. School girls in Madina attained menarche earlier than previously estimated. Our study suggests an influence of household level improvement in socioeconomic status on menarcheal age (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[3]:103-110). Résumé Age de l'établissement de la menstruation chez les écolières à Medina, Accra : L'étude actuelle a été conçue en vue de déterminer l'âge auquel la menstruation s'établit chez les écolières à Medina, Accra. Une enquête a été menée auprès des 529 filles à l'aide d'un échantillon à multiples étapes tirée des écoles à Medina, Accra. Les enquêtées ont rempli un questionnaire qui a enregistré l'âge à la première menstruation à travers le rappel, les caractéristiques familiales et l'anthropométrie. L'âge moyen à la première menstruation était 12,74±1,15 ans ; une analyse par la méthode des probits a donné un âge médian de 12,09 ans. L'âge qui se rapporte à l'établissement de la menstruation était remarquablement corrélé avec l'âge actuel (r=0, 48 ; p<0,01). La plupart des filles (90%) avaient leur première menstruation à l'âge de 13ans. L'âge moyen de leurs mères au moment de la menstruation était 13,61±08 ans Dans un modèle de régression linéaire multifactoriel, la richesse du ménage (p<0,01) et l'indice de masse corporelle (p<0,01) ont été les principaux indices modifiables de l'âge au commencement de la menstruation. Quelques écolières à Medina ont commencé la menstruation plus tôt qu'on avait prévue. Notre étude montre qu'il y a une influence de l'amélioration du niveau du ménage dans l'état socio-économique sur l'âge qui se rapporte à l'établissement de la menstruation (Afr
International journal of adolescent medicine and health, 2016
Menarche age is an indicator of a girl's puberty besides the clinical assessment of detecting deviations. This study aimed to search the pattern of menarche age (normal, early and late) and its relationship with some demographic characteristics in girls and their parents. This cross-sectional study was done on girls aged between 9 and 18 years old in Shiraz city. About 2000 students were selected through cluster sampling. Data collection was done by applying a demographic information form. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. About 1386 students (69.3%) had the history of menarche (at least once). The mean age of menarche was 12.26±1.11 years in Shiraz. The menarche age of the girls ranged from 9 years (as the least) to 15 (as the maximum). The prevalence of late menarche was 1.1%. In addition, no early menarche was reported. There was no relationship between menarche age and economic status, birth order and number of children, but a significant relationship was ...
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 2019
Objective To explore the independent role of age at menarche on menstrual abnormalities among adolescents. Methods The present study was a multicenter cross-sectional study on a large sample (n = 3782) of Italian girls aged 13-21 y attending secondary school who already had menarche. Girls were asked to fill in a questionnaire on menarcheal age and menstrual features during the latest three menses. The gynecological age was computed as the difference between age at the survey and the age at menarche. Main outcome measures were: prevalence of oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, menstrual cycle irregularity, abnormal bleeding length and dysmenorrhea. Irregularity in the recent past and since menarche was also studied. Multiple logistic models were used to identify any independent association between each abnormal feature and age at menarche or gynecological age. Adjusted ORs and 95%CI were performed. Results After adjusting for covariates, menarcheal age was not independently associated with polymenorrhea (OR = 0.81; 95%CI 0.63-1.04), oligomenorrhea (OR = 1.16; 95%CI 0.94-1.43), menstrual cycle irregularity (OR = 0.99; 95%CI 0.86-1.14), abnormal bleeding length (OR = 0.96; 95%CI 0.87-1.06) and dysmenorrhea (OR = 1.03; 95%CI 0.85-1.24). The multivariate analysis suggests that the higher prevalence of oligomenorrhea and menstrual cycle irregularity among the girls who were older at menarche might be purely explained by their younger gynecological age. Conclusions No evidence of any independent influence of age at menarche on menstrual abnormalities among young girls was shown by the investigation. The findings suggest that, after menarche, adolescent girls' menstrual health should be checked to monitor the endocrine system maturation and to early intercept latent disorders becoming symptomatic.
Age at menarche in a group of French schoolgirls
Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society, 2014
Mean age at menarche in France decreased from 12.78 years in 1979 to 12.6 years in 1994. The aim of this study was to determine mean age at first menstruation in French adolescent girls in order to study the secular trend. Age at first menstruation was noted to the nearest month during recording of anthropometric measurements in three secondary schools in the Aisne administrative department, France, in classes in years 7, 8, 9 and 10. A total of 339 girls aged 11-15 ½ years were examined. The majority were from a social background of workers, employees and middle managerial staff. Mean age at first menses and standard deviation were calculated using the probits method. Mean age was 12.5 ± 0.08 years (χ(2) γ=14 = 16.7, P > 0.05), indicating that it had remained stable for more than 15 years. A secular decline has already been observed in Belgium, Britain, Hungary, Scandinavia and the USA. In all these countries, age at menarche has reached a stable level at around 13 ± 0.5 years.
Age at menarche among school girls in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria
Annals of African Medicine, 2012
Background/Objectives: Menarche, the first menstrual period, is influenced by many factors including socioeconomic status and rural or urban dwelling. The aims of the study were to compare the age at menarche between rural and urban girls and evaluate the anthropometric indices at menarche. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of rural secondary school girls and urban school girls. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on their age at menarche and other relevant data. Their weights and heights were measured using computerized scales and calibrated walls. Results: Two hundred and twenty eight (228) rural girls and four hundred and eighty (480) urban girls that had attained menarche within a year were studied. Mean age at menarche for all the girls was 15.26 years. Mean menarcheal age for the rural and urban girls were 15.32 years and 15.20 years, respectively. Mean weight and height were 47.6 kg and 156.76 cm, respectively for the rural girls and 48.12 kg and 156.8 cm, respectively for the urban girls. There was no significance difference in age of menarche among the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The mean age at menarche for the school girls is 15.26 years. There was no difference in menarcheal age between the rural and urban school girls. Further longitudinal studies to compare rural school girls and urban school girls in private schools are required
Timing of maturation and predictors of menarche in girls enrolled in a contemporary British cohort
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 2009
This study describes the timing of puberty in 8- to 13-year-old girls enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and identifies factors associated with earlier achievement of menarche. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and their offspring were followed prospectively. We analysed self-reported Tanner staging and menstrual status information collected annually from daughters up to age 13. We used survival models to estimate median age of attainment of stage >1 and stage >2 of breast and pubic hair development and of menarche. We also constructed multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with earlier achievement of menarche.About 12% of girls reported Tanner breast stage >1 at age 8; 98% of girls were above stage 1 by age 13. For pubic hair, 5% and 95% of girls had attained a stage >1 by 8 and 13 years, respectively. The estimated median age of entry into stage >1 of breast development was 10.14 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.08, 10.19), and for pubic hair development the median age was 10.92 years [95% CI, 10.87, 10.97]. One girl (out of 2953) had attained menarche by age 8; 60% had attained menarche by age 13. The estimated median age at menarche was 12.93 years [95% CI, 12.89, 12.98]. Prenatal predictors of menarche by age 11 (12% of girls) included earlier maternal age at menarche, high maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking during the third trimester, and non-white race; the single postnatal predictor was the girl's body size at 8 years. Age at attainment of breast and pubic hair Tanner stage and age at menarche in the ALSPAC cohort are similar to ages reported in other European studies that were conducted during overlapping time periods. The results also give added support to the strong influence of maternal maturation, pre-adolescent body size and race on the timing of a girl's menarche. This cohort will continue to be followed for maturational information until age 17.
Determinants of age at menarche and time to menstrual cycle regularity in the French E3N cohort
Annals of epidemiology, 2012
Purpose: Early menarche has been associated with a greater risk of several major chronic diseases. Although largely genetically determined, age at menarche also has been related to environmental and lifestyle factors. Methods: Using linear regression models, we explored simultaneously several pre-and postnatal factors as potential determinants of age at menarche and time to menstrual cycle regularity in 96,493 women participating, since 1990, in the French E3N prospective cohort. Results: Younger age at recruitment, greater father's income index, urban birth place, greater birth length, and larger body silhouette during childhood were associated with an earlier age at menarche (from À1.3 to À4.6 months, P trend < .0001) whereas greater family size, food deprivation during childhood, and greater birth weight resulted in a delayed menarche (from þ1.5 months to þ5.3 months, P trend < .0001). Father's income index, urban birth place, and prematurity predicted a shorter time to menstrual cycle regularity (from À1.1 to À1.9 months, P trend < .04), whereas birth cohort, larger body silhouette at menarche, and childhood exposure to passive smoking were associated with a longer time to menstrual cycle regularity (from þ1.1 months to þ8.6 months, P trend < .006). Conclusions: Age at menarche and menstrual cycle regularity are significantly influenced by several individual, environmental and lifestyle factors.
Background: Menarche is a biological phenomenon in women's bodies, which points out a critical life cycle stage. The girls begin to menstruate for the first time, which is continued for four to five days. With increasing age, the reproductive life of women ends with menopause. Objectives: To measure the association between menarcheal and menopausal ages and other socio-demographic and health factors. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study among females in Saudi Arabia. The sample size was 384, and it was calculated by Epi Info software. Data collected included the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, delivery-related questions, and questions about menarche and menopause. We used SPSS to analyze the data. Results: A total of 414 females responded to our questionnaire, all of which were included in our analysis. Most females had menarche during 10 to 12 years (56.5%), with irregular patterns (72.7%), and this irregularity continued to 12 months and more (64.3%). Most females reached their menopause (74.9%), with a gradually stopping pattern (30.4%), and the most common age group for menopause was from 41 to 50 years old (61.8%). Conclusions: We found that the socio-demographic and health factors are related to the age of menarche and menopause. Our study concluded that menarcheal age was a significant association with marriage age, nature of delivery, educational level, income, having chronic diseases, practicing sports, having regular menstruation, duration of irregular menstruation, having previous operations, using chemo/radiotherapy, happening of menopause and its age categories. At the same time, menopausal age was a significant association with all factors except smoking status.