Age of Menarche among Basic Level School Girls in Medina, Accra
Abstract
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 socio-economic 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 J Reprod Health 2011; 15[3] :103-110).
Keywords: Menarche, Ghana, School girls, menstruation, Teenagers
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