Understanding the knowledge and experience of menarche among secondary school female students in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Chinonuju Franklin Chiekezie; Gabriel Chidera Edeh; Onyeka Chukwudalu Ekwebene; Chisimdi Marysandra Chiekezie; Chukwuebuka Kingsley Chiekezie; Benjamin Chukwunonso Okonkwo; Ezinneamaka Maureen Ashibogwu; Michael Chukwuebuka Awugosi

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20241526

Authors

Chinonuju Franklin Chiekezie Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Gabriel Chidera Edeh Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Onyeka Chukwudalu Ekwebene Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
Chisimdi Marysandra Chiekezie Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Chukwuebuka Kingsley Chiekezie Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Benjamin Chukwunonso Okonkwo Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Ezinneamaka Maureen Ashibogwu Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Michael Chukwuebuka Awugosi Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20241526

Keywords:

Knowledge, Experience, Menarche, Female students, Secondary school

Abstract

Background: Menstruation, a key physiological change in females of reproductive age, necessitates providing young girls with crucial information on menarche to better prepare them.

Methods: This study assessed the knowledge and experience of menarche among secondary school female students in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria, utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional survey method. Conducted from August to September 2023, the study involved 420 participants and employed multistage sampling for selection.

Results: The findings revealed a paradoxical decrease in the mean age of menarche to 12.02 +/- 1.15 years, with most girls experiencing menarche at age 13. Notably, 91.4% of participants had substantial knowledge of menarche, primarily acquired from mothers. Although 86.9% recognized menarche as a normal puberty change, experiences varied: 45.5% felt normal, 39.3% were afraid, and 12.9% felt ashamed during their menarche.

Conclusions: The study concludes that despite high awareness levels, poor menarche experiences prevail due to inadequate preparation. It recommends enhanced awareness campaigns in schools, spearheaded by NGOs and health workers, to educate and prepare young girls for menarche effectively.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Deo DS, Ghattargi CH. Perceptions, and practices regarding menstruation. A comparative study in urban and rural adolescent girls. Ind. J Commu Medi. 2015;30(1):33-4.

Obidile VC, Ekwebene OC, Sampson A, Rogers A, Edeh GC. Predictors and screening of cervical cancer among HIV positive transactional female sex workers in Nigeria. World J Advan Res Revi. 2022;15(2):191-9.

El-Gilenya A, Badawib K, EL-Fedawyb S. Menstrual hygiene among adolescent schoolgirls in Mansoura, Egypt. Reproductive Health Matters. 2015;13(26):147-52.

Ekwebene OC. Family Planning Services: Will Male Involvement Scale Up Uptake?. J Women Health Care Reprod Med. 2022;2:1-10.

Ogbuagu CN, Ekwebene OC, Eleje GU, Orji AE, Ani UC, Umenweke CC, et al. Adolescents’ views of sexually transmitted infections’ preventive measures in Nigeria. Hong Kong J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021;4(1):1-8.

Russo G, Brambilla P, Della Beffa F, Ferrario M, Pitea M, Mastropietro T, et al. Early onset of puberty in young girls: an Italian cross-sectional study. J Endocrinol Investigat. 2012;35:804-8.

Perissinotto E, Vincenzo S, Sergio B, Luigi B, Gianni B, Mauro B. Onset of menstrual cycle and menses features among secondary school girls in Italy: A questionnaire study on 3,783 students. Ind J Endocrinol Metabol. 2014;18(7):84.

Ekwebene OC, Ogbuagu CN, Modebe IA, Ogbuagu EN, Igwemadu WS, Emelumadu OF. Assessment of Dietary Pattern, Health Implication and the Nutritional Status of Clinical Medical Students of a Tertiary Institution in Southeast Nigeria. Int J Health Sci Res. 2020;10(9):346-59.

Lacroix A, Gondal H, Shumway K, Hurria G, Michelle D. Physiology, Menarche. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls; 2022;21(2):84.

Rajakumari A. A study on knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent schoolgirls. Glob J Curr Res. 2015;3(4):111-6.

Ali F, Obaid 1, Maha A, Kadim z, Zainab A, Hussein B, Ali A, et al. Period among Different Religions, Traditions, and Societies. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, College of nursing, University of Babylon, Iraq. 2022;3(4)138-53.

Chandra-Mouli V, Patel SV. Mapping the knowledge and understanding of menarche, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health among adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries. The Palgrave handbook of critical menstruation studies. 2020;4(2):124.

De Sanctis V, Bernasconi S, Bianchin L, Bona G, Bozzola M, Buzi F, et al. Onset of menstrual cycle and menses features among secondary school girls in Italy: A questionnaire study on 3,783 students. Ind J Endocrinol Metabol. 201;18(Suppl 1):S84-92.

Tyotswam YS, Chukwudalu EO. Malaria in gravid women attending antenatal clinics in Atani, Ogbaru local government area, Anambra state Nigeria. Int J Mosqu Res. 2021;8(1):118-22.

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 Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria. Int J Reproduc Contracep Obstet Gynecol. 2017;6(5):1726-32.

Habtegiorgis Y, Sisay T, Kloos H, Malede A, Yalew M, Arefaynie M, et al. Menstrual hygiene practices among high school girls in urban areas in Northeastern Ethiopia: A neglected issue in water, sanitation, and hygiene research. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(6):e0248825.

Ramathuba DU. Menstrual knowledge and practices of female adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Curationis. 2015;38(1):1-6.

Al-Sahab B, Ardern CI, Hamadeh MJ, Tamim H. Age at menarche in Canada: results from the national longitudinal survey of children & youth. BMC Publ Heal. 2015;10:736.

Hamilton-F Diana A. Obstetrics and gynaecology blackwell. Arch Origi J. 2018;2(2):10-09.

Ten V. Menstrual hygiene: a neglected condition for the achievement of the millennium development goals. Europe Ext Policy Advis. 2017;2;18(1):33.

Egbuniwe MC, Dankano NE, Nnamani CP, Azubuike PC, Obidile VC, Ekwebene OC. COVID-19 vaccine knowledge and acceptability among healthcare providers in Nigeria. Int J Trop Dis Heal. 2021;42(5):51-60.

Igwe TU, Edeh GC, Ekwebene OC, Anagwu CP, Agbo TN, Abalihe UO. The Menopause Chronicles: A Dive into Nigerian Women's Perceptions at a Tertiary Care Center. Asian Res J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023;6(1):89-99.

Ekwebene OC, Obidile VC, Nnamani CP, Eleje GU, Ekwebene CF. Pre and post flooding malaria parasitemia in gravid women, Southeast, Nigeria. J Clin Images Med Case Rep. 2021;2(5):1368.

Obiekwe SJ, Ezeugwunne IP, Ekwebene OC, Nwaugochi IE, Edeh GC, Modum ER, et al. Exploring the impacts of menstrual-pelvic pain on school activity in rural secondary school girls. As J Medi Heal. 2023;21(10):43-58.

Ozughalu JN, Orji AE, Ekwebene OC, Edeh CG. Trends in childhood morbidity and mortality in the era of pandemic. Int J Health Sci Res. 2022;12(2):227-32.