AGE AT MENARCHE IN NIGERIAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS CASE STUDY: (IGBO, YORUBA, HAUSA AND ENGENNI TRIBES OF NIGERIA)

Tarimobo Michael Otobo, John Nwolim Paul* and Osah Onyemauche Isikaku

ABSTRACT

Background: Menarche the commencement of menstruation with physical, physiological and mental changes associated with puberty. The age of menarche was studied among 600 subjects from the Ibo, Yoruba Hausa and Engenni tribes of Nigeria. The studied age was between 18-22 years. The aim and objectives of this study were to estimate the distribution of age of menarche as well as to determine the mean age of menarche among the adolescents also to find the factors that could affect the age at menarche. Methods: The menarcheal age was determined by a retrospective and simple random sampling method conducted through the use of structured close–ended questionnaires distributed randomly and retrieved. Results: Data revealed that 100% of the populations studied were menstruating and on analysis showed the mean age of menarche to be 13.10.08 with a median of 12. The range of their menarche age is 10-17 years. The mean length of period was found to be 4.510.05 with a median of 3, the length of period was found to vary among the subjects; 14.5% menstruate for 3 days, 43.7% for 4 days, 25.8% for 5 days, 7.5% for 6 days and 8.5% for 7 days. Conclusions: It was found that 54.5% of the subjects had 28 days cycle while others had less than or more than 28 days. The mean age at menarche was 13.10.08. Menarche age was found to occur earlier in subjects from the Yoruba tribe thus menarcheal age is associated with nutritional availability and improved diet.

Keywords: Menarche, Adolescent Girls, Tribes, Nigeria.