European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

Age at Menarche, Current Premenstrual Syndrome and
Health Risk Behaviour of Young People in Ibadan, Nigeria 347
Introduction
Menstruation is the monthly process in which an unfertilized egg cell and the inner lining of the uterus
are discharged from a woman of reproductive age. Most girls start to menstruate around the age of 12;
some may mature earlier or later than this. Menstruation may begin any time between the ages of 10-16
and still considered normal 1 .
The first menstrual cycle or periods usually starts between ages of 12 and 15 years and this is
known as menarche. 2,3 Menstruation is a normal biological process, but it may cause physical or
psychological problems too. 4 Menstruation has been surrounded by myths, superstitions, rituals and
even laws since the earliest times. In modern times, it is viewed with remarkable openness, but
differences in attitude still occur between different population and cultures. 5 Menstrual disorders like
amenorrhea, dysmennorrhea and premenstrual syndromes are common reasons for visits to healthcare
providers by adolescent girls. Although menstrual irregularity during the first few years after menarche
may be normal, other menstrual signs and symptoms may indicate a pathological conditions requiring
prompt medical attention. 6
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a feeling of depression that occurs several days to two weeks
before a period begins. Other symptoms may be weight gain and the inability to sleep or concentrate.
The main cause of PMS is still unknown. 1 Premenstrual syndrome refers to the recurrent somatic or
psychic symptoms which may occur in relation to menstruation. 7 About 70 percent of menstruating
women experience some psychological and physiological changes the week before menstruation.
Symptoms of PMS may include headaches, depression, undue stress and on rare occasions violent
behaviour. 3
The premenstrual syndrome is a complex of symptoms occurring in the latter half of the
menstrual cycle and disappearing at onset of the menstrual flow. The time of occurrence as well as the
severity of symptoms and their number do vary considerably. The syndrome was described by Frank in
1931. 8
Most women have some premenstrual syndromes due to several environmental factors. 9
Though in many countries, sex, reproductive health and abortion are shrouded in secrecy even in the
privacy of homes and with family members, the problem of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion
continue to endanger the lives and wellbeing of Africa and these are enormous interms of losses and
suffering to individuals, families and communities. 10 The consequences of unsafe abortion in Africa
are enormous interms of losses and sufferings to individuals, families and communities, yet, there has
remained an unmitigated silence at all levels regarding the need to do something to reduce the scale of
the problem. 11
Tertiary institution students are predisposed by environmental factors to adoption of habits that
impact on their health. Smoking, alcohol abuse, a sedentary lifestyle and failure to use health services
may jeopardize current and future health status. 12
The purpose of this study therefore was to find out age at menarche, premenstrual syndrome
and health risk behaviour of students of a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods
One of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Ibadan southwestern Nigeria (noted for its high
literacy level among other zones of the country) is recently witnessing high scale unwholesome sexual
escapades of the students, cultism and admission racketeering which on several occasions led to the
closure of the institution.
A cross-sectional design was adopted for this study. The study participants were female
registered students of the institution in 2003/2004 academic session. Trained (female students) research
assistants were used to randomly administered copies of questionnaire on female students. The copies
of the questionnaire after administration were manually screened for adequacy of completion and 500