Factors Influencing Early Onset of Menarche Among School Children A Case Control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Menarche is the appearance of first menstrual bleed. Many factors leads to early onset ofmenarche, of which physical factors, genetic factors, environmental factors, nutritional factors and familyfactors play a pivotal role. Objectives: The present study titled “Factors influencing early onset of menarcheamong school children” was an attempt to assess the mean age at onset of menarche and to determine thefactors influencing early onset of menarche among cases and controls. Methods: A case control study wasadapted to identify the factors influencing early onset of menarche among 411 (137 in cases and controls274) children who were aged between 8-12 years. The schools were selected by simple random samplingtechnique and subjects by purposive sampling technique. Results: The study identified the mean age atonset of menarche among school children (including cases and controls) was 10.81 ± 0.821yeras. Meanage at which siblings attained the menarche for controls were at 12 ± 1.697 years and controls was at 13 ±1.697 years. The study also revealed statistically significant association between factors like consumptionof fast food (x2= 1.250, p<.001), knowledge about menarche (x2= 8.588, p =.003) and excessive exercise(x2= 11.387, p<.001) and onset of menarche. The chance of having early onset of menarche was 60.4% i.e.(1- .396* 100) times more among cases who took nutritional supplements regularly. Conclusion: The studyconcludes that physical and nutritional factors needs parenteral control in order to remain fit and healthy.