Information, Beliefs and Attitudes towards Menarche in a Sample of Adolescent Student Girls in Baghdad city

Abstract

Abstract:Back ground: Menarche is the first menstrual period in the females of human beings and it is a later event which occurs variably after the peak of total body growth spurt has passed, from both social and medical perspective it is often considered as a central event of human puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility. Objectives: To find out the information, beliefs and attitudes towards menarche in a sample of adolescent student girls in Baghdad city.Subjects & Methods: A cross sectional was conducted in Baghdad during the period from the 20th of February to the 30th of April 2008.A convenient sample of 992 adolescent girls from the 7th to 12th educational grades were chosen from (intermediate and secondary schools) selected from Al- Karkh and Al- Russafa areas, in Baghdad. Collection of data was achieved by direct interview.Results: The study showed that (87%) of girls had attained menarche, of these (61.3%) had information about menarche. The mother was the main source of information and she was the first who informed about menarche.Conclusion: Two thirds of the menstruating girls had knowledge about menarche before they attain it. Shyness and unavailability of information were the major causes behind absence of knowledge. Key Words: Menarche, adolescent, information, beliefs& attitudes