Age at Menarche and Menstrual Pattern among Adolescences Girls in Selangor

Abstract

Menarcheal age symbolizes the first menstrual period in female life and it is affected by biological and psychological factors. This study aimed to assess the effect of sociodemographic factor, menstrual pattern, menstrual disorder, physical activity and health care-seeking behavior on age at menarche. Materials and methods: This present cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 female students of government school in Selangor. After taking consent, self-constructed questionnaire were distributed to the students consisting part A sociodemographic profile, part B menstrual pattern and menstrual problem and part C physical activity and healthcare-seeking behavior. Mean age at menarche of this study subject were 12.21±1.09. Dysmenorrhea was reported by 90.8% of the female students. 38.9% of the students had PMS while 48.6% claimed only sometimes they experienced PMS symptoms and the remaining of 13% of students had no symptoms of PMS. Mean age at menarche was not statistically significant in different category of sociodemographic factor but showed a significant result in Dysmenorrhea (P=0.004), PMS (P=0.029) and physical activity (P<0.05). Findings also revealed a strong significant relationship between age of respondents and healthcare-seeking behavior towards menstrual problems (P=0.001). The result of age at menarche was comparable with other findings in the world. Public health education, counseling programs and routine counseling should be offer to the school to assist in early detection of menstrual disorder.