Age at menarche among schoolgirls in Basra

الملخص EN

This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the menarcheal age in Basrah province and to relate it with different other variables as height, weight, level ofparent's education, among different groups in urban and rural areas.

The setting was primary and secondary schools from center and peripheries of Basrah city.

A randomly selected sample of (1017) girls from Basrah schools during February, March, and April 1998, with an age range of 11-17years were included.

The sample was divided into two groups.

(A rural and urban group).

Rural group included (449) girls while the urban group included (517) girls.

Only (51) girls, their menarche were not established yet during the period ofthe study.

More than 60% of the rural group attained their menarche at an age of >13 years where as only 50% of the urban group did so at that age.

The results also showed that taller girls attained their menarche one-month earlier, being more evident in the rural than in the urban group.

The results also showed that there is a positive relationship with the weight and good diet as those with higher weight and protein rich diet attained their menarche seven months andfour months earlier respectively.

From study was conclude that many factors- positively affect menarcheal age like nutrition, height, weight, and socioeconomic status.

All these factors seem to be responsible for the initiation of earlier menarche than usual.

While the mean age of menarche was found to be 13.63 which is more in the urban than in the rural areas.