European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
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<strong>European</strong> <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scientific</strong> <strong>Research</strong><br />
ISSN 1450-216X Vol.14 No.3 (2006), pp. 346-353<br />
© Euro<strong>Journal</strong>s Publishing, Inc. 2006<br />
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm<br />
Age at Menarche, Current Premenstrual Syndrome and Health<br />
Risk Behaviour <strong>of</strong> Young People in Ibadan, Nigeria<br />
Moronkola, O.A<br />
Senior Lecturer (Health Education)Health Education Unit<br />
Dept. <strong>of</strong> Human Kinetics and Health Education<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria<br />
Email: walemoronkola@yahoo.com<br />
Aladesanyi, O.A<br />
Health Education Unit<br />
Dept. <strong>of</strong> Human Kinetics and Health Education<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Ibadan, Ibadan. Nigeria<br />
Abstract<br />
Objective: To determine age at menarche, current premenstrual syndrome and at risk<br />
behaviour <strong>of</strong> female students in a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria.<br />
Design: Cross-sectional study<br />
Setting: A tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria. (The actual name <strong>of</strong> the institution is<br />
concealed based on agreement with the study participants)<br />
Participants: 500 female students <strong>of</strong> a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria<br />
Materials and Methods: Female students <strong>of</strong> a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria were<br />
randomly sampled for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to them in<br />
order to obtain information on their age at menarche, current premenstrual syndrome and<br />
health risk behaviour.<br />
Result: Out <strong>of</strong> the 500 participants, majority 365 (73.0%) had menarche between 11-15<br />
years over 60.0% <strong>of</strong> them experienced the following symptoms <strong>of</strong> premenstrual syndrome;<br />
irritable/touchy 91.8%, not wanting to eat 87.6%, sleep disturbances 87.4%, anxiety<br />
85.2%, lowered self esteem 80.6%, fatigue 78.2%, feeling weak 73.6%, water retention<br />
72.0%, fainting 71.4%, desire to eat food 68.6%, dizziness 66.4%, breast tenderness<br />
62.8%. Also 88.8% had procured abortion before, 86.8% did enjoy high salt intake, 77.4%<br />
were drinking alcohol, 73.8% engaged in premarital sex, 68.0% were drinking c<strong>of</strong>fee,<br />
9.8% did not deliberately engage in exercise/physical activity while 7.4% were not taking<br />
time to relax.<br />
Conclusion: The study showed that majority <strong>of</strong> the female students had menarche within<br />
the age period consistent with literature and had also procured abortion. Most <strong>of</strong> them<br />
complained about several symptoms <strong>of</strong> premenstrual syndrome. There is therefore, an<br />
urgent need for health education and promotion activities against premarital sex and<br />
abortion with attendant consequences as well as how the participants can manage<br />
symptoms <strong>of</strong> premenstrual syndrome and the need for sexual health counselling in the<br />
health services centre in tertiary institutions.