The Factors Influencing Menarche Age and Menstrual Problems in Adolescent Girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Authors

  • Ahmed Muhye a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:92:"Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University,";}

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69614/ejrh.v17i2.833

Keywords:

Adolescent girls, Menarche, Menstrual pain, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Menarche, the onset of menstruation, is a critical milestone for adolescent girls globally. The age of menarche and associated menstrual health challenges have far-reaching implications for the physical, emotional, and social well-being of young women. Despite the importance of this topic, there is limited research on factors influencing menarche age and menstrual problems among adolescent girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring determinants of menarche age and the prevalence of menstrual problems in this population.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 9 to 30, 2018. A multi-stage random sample of 380 adolescent high school girls in Addis Ababa government and private schools was selected. Data were collected via self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS version 20. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The mean menarche age was 13.42 ± 1.35 years. Attending private schools, higher family income, higher parental education, and smaller family size were significant predictors of earlier menarche. Lower menarcheal age increased the risk of menstrual pain and school absenteeism. However, physical activity, vegetable intake, and parental occupation were not associated with menarche age.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the complex, multi-faceted factors influencing the onset of puberty and menstrual experiences of adolescent girls in Ethiopia. Comprehensive interventions addressing sociocultural, economic, and educational barriers are crucial to empower girls and promote their overall health and educational outcomes.

References

Bustreo F. Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA). 1st ed. Geneva: UNICEF, WHO; 2017.

Anthony D. Adolescence Age of Opportunity. 1st ed.; Chris Brazier PWMA, editor. NEWYORK: UNICEF; 2011. 1 p.

Tamiru S, Mamo K, Acidria P, Mushi R, Ali CS, Ndebele L. Towards a sustainable solution for school menstrual hygiene management: Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Waterlines Vol 34 No 1. 2015;34(1).

Esrael A, Town S. Age at menarche among in-school adolescents in Sawla Town, South Ethiopia. Ethiop J Heal Sci. 2013;(10):3.

Coast E, Presler-marshall E, Lattof SR. GAGE Digest An agenda for policy and action to support girls through puberty and menarche. gage, Gend Adolescent Glob Evid. 2017

Buit G. Menstruation and Girls’ Education in Northern Ghana. Water Resour Group, Manag http//www.cartercenter.org. 2013;(Accessed August 26, 2019).

Sci JNF, Gebremariam H, Gebremariam A, Tesfay G, Adem OS, Assefa H. Mean Difference of Age at Menarche and Body Mass Index among Government and Private High-School Students of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia. J Nutr Food Sci 2015, S3 DOI 104172/2155-9600S3-004. 2015;

Zegeye DT, Megabiaw B, Mulu A. BMC Women’s Health Age at menarche and the menstrual pattern of secondary school adolescents in northwest Ethiopia. BMC Womens Health. 2009; 8:1– 8.

Ali AA, Rayis DA, Mamoun M, Adam I. Age at menarche and menstrual cycle pattern among schoolgirls in Kassala in eastern Sudan. J Public Heal Epidemiol Vol 3(3), 2011;3(March):111–4.

Bau AM, Ernert A, Schenk L, Wiegand S, Martus P, Gru A. Is there a further acceleration in the age at onset of menarche. A cross-sectional study in 1840 school children focusing on age and bodyweight at the onset of menarche. Eur J Endocrinol 160 ISSN 0804-4643. 2009;107–13.

Tegegne TK, Sisay MM. Menstrual hygiene management and school absenteeism among female adolescent students in Northeast Ethiopia. BMC Public Heal 2014, 141118. 2014;1–14.

Gultie T, Hailu D, Workineh Y. Age of Menarche and Knowledge about Menstrual Hygiene Management among Adolescent School Girls in Amhara Province, Ethiopia: Implication to Health Care Workers & School Teachers. PLoS ONE 9(9) e108644. 2014;9(9):1–9.

Paul E, Ameade K, Garti HA. Age at Menarche and Factors that Influence It: A Study among Female University Students in Tamale, Northern Ghana. PLOS ONE| 2016;1–10.

Md. Golam Hossain, wee ma and tk. Adult anthropometric measures and socio ­ demographic factors influencing age at menarche of university students in Malaysia adult anthropometric measures and socio-demographic factors influencing. J biosoc sci / first view artic / march 2013, pp 1?- 13.

Khoshnevisasl P, Sadeghzadeh M, Mazloomzadeh S, Babri L. Age at Menarche and its Related Factors among School Girls in Zanjan, Iran. Int J Pediatr. 2017;5(40):4755–62.

Padez C, Rocha MA. Age at menarche in Coimbra (Portugal) school girls: a note on the secular changes. Ann Hum Biol. 2003;30(5):622–32.

Bogaert AF. Menarche and father absence in a national probability sample. J. biosocSci, 40, 623– 636.

Abdulla E, Ibraheem NM. Assessment of the influencing factors on age of menarche among girls in Tikrit city?. Tikrit Med J 2010; 16(2)129-133.

Toromanovid A, Tahirovid H. Effect of family disintegration on age at menarche. Acta Medica Acad 2015;44(2):124–34.

Prakash C, Srivastava B, Gaur S, Bala R, Rai A, Prakash C. Original research paper Age of Menarche in Girls of Uttarakhan. J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(1). 2015;32(1):49–51.

Al-agha AE, Saeedi RJ, Tatwany BO. Women’s Health Care Correlation between Nutrition and Early Puberty in Girls Living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. J Women’s Heal Care 2015;4(3):2014–6.

Lee E, Pabayo R, Kawachi I. Timing of Spermarche and Menarche are Associated with Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Among Korean Adolescents. Osong Public Heal Res Perspect [Internet]. Elsevier Korea LLC; 2016;(May):2–8.

Esen ?, O?uz B, Serin HM. Menstrual Characteristics of Pubertal Girls: A Questionnaire-Based Study in Turkey. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2016;8(2)192-196 DO I 104274/jcrpe2026.

Sommer, Marni, Emily Cherenack, Sarah Blake, Murat Sahin and Lizette Burgers W. WASH in Schools Empowers Girl’s education. NEW YORK USA; 2014.

Fehintola FO, Fehintola AO, Aremu AO, Idowu A, Ogunlaja OA, Ogunlaja IP. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about menstruation and menstrual hygiene among secondary high school girls in. Int J Reprod Contracept Obs Gynecol 2017 May;6(5)1726-1732.

T HA, B ZS, R OF, S GA. Journal of Women’s Health Care Practice of Menstrual Hygiene and Associated Factors among Female High School Students in Adama Town. 2017;6(3):4–11.

Bodat S, Ghate MM, Majumdar JR. School Absenteeism During Menstruation Among Rural Adolescent Girls in Pune. Natl J Community Med. 2013;4(2):4–8.

Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Muhye, A. (2025). The Factors Influencing Menarche Age and Menstrual Problems in Adolescent Girls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Reproductive Health, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.69614/ejrh.v17i2.833

Issue

Section

Original Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.