Is the age of menarche influenced by a girl's socioeconomic status?

Abstract

Abstract Background Menarche is a key indicator of puberty and is influenced by a variety of variables, including socioeconomic status and their residence. To provide health services and menstrual health education to schoolgirls, health policymakers must be aware of the menarche age. Here in we aimed to investigate the timing of menarche in secondary school girls and its associations with socioeconomic status and body mass index. Methods A cross-sectional study enrolled 130 girls carried out from January to march 2023 in secondary schools in Shabasha City, White Nile State, Sudan. Structured questionnaires were used to gather the personal information from the girls and parents, age at menarche, and factors influencing age at menarche, height, and weight. Results The mean age of girls was 16.5 ± 1 years while the mean age of menarche was found to be 13.6 ± 1.3 years, and the majority of the girls had menarche age of 14 years 44(33.8%) and 13 years 42(32.3%). Mothers (n = 86; 66.2%), sisters or friends (n = 84; 64.6%), and teachers (n = 81; 62.3%) were the main advisors. Also, examinations were the main stressor in 12(9.2%) girls. The age of menarche was found to be negatively correlated with BMI (r= -0.365; P. value = 0.027), and underweight girls had a later age of menarche (14.81.4 years; P. value = 0.000). Furthermore, girls with low socioeconomic status had menarche at a later age (14.61.3 years). Menarche occurred later in girls who lived with their father alone (14.31.6 years) and with their mother alone (140.5 years). The age of menarche had no effect on parental education, family size, or stressors (P value > 0.05). Conclusion The age of menarche among schoolgirls was found to be relatively similar to that reported in Sudan and other countries in the region. It was significantly related to the girls' BMI, socioeconomic status, and the types of residents.