Profile of menarche among school children in south eastern Nigeria

Abstract

To determine the age and other characteristic of menarche among school children in south Eastern Nigeria. Questionnaires were distributed to students of two secondary schools in the south Eastern Nigeria. The completed questionnaires were then analysed. The mean age of menarche was found to be 13.1 years. The modal duration of menstruation was four days, while 5.5% and 3.4% of respondents had very heavy periods and severe pain respectively. In 82.8% of the girls the first period lasted 3-5 days. Although most girls (97.4%) had previous education about menarche, many (64%) still wrongly felt that menstruation had a cleansing function for the body. The age of menarche was 13.1 years in the study population. This was consistent with what is found in other parts of the world with a similar state of urbanization and socioeconomic status

Keywords: Menarche, School Children, South Eastern Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: 87-88