Perception of menarche among secondary schools students in Baghdad City

Abstract EN

Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess menarche impression and perception among secondary schools students.

Methodology : Cross-sectional study was conducted to select a sample purposely of fifty five students in the first class of intermediate school in Baghdad city, and information was collected through a questionnaire for mfilled during the month of December 2012, descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data.

Results : The results showed that the highest percentage (37 %) of the study sample their menarche were at age (13) year and (66 %) of the adolescents had previously information about menstruation and used of sanitary napkin from their mothers.

Regarding impression about men striation the highest percentage (47 %) of the study sample, their impression was fear and more than a third of the study sample was fear and crying when they saw the blood at the first time.

Recommendations : The results of this study indicated a need for accurate education program of the adolescent female, parents and grandparents on menstruation because some misconceptions exist in the adolescent population about menstruation through mass media, and adding a sex education curriculum in schools to provide detailed information about growth and development of puberty, with appropriate and menstrual health hygiene as well as management of the menstrual cycle and menarche.

Conclusion : The study concluded that adolescent female their impression about menarche were fear and more than third of study sample their perception when they saw blood first time were crying and fear.

The results of this study indicate a need for accurate education program of the adolescent female, parents and grandparents on menstruation because some misconceptions exist in the adolescent population about menstruation through mass media, and adding a sex education curriculum in schools to provide detailed information about growth and development of puberty, with appropriate and menstrual health hygiene as well as management of the menstrual cycle and menarche.