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Adolescent reproductive health challenges among schoolgirls in southeast Nigeria:
role of knowledge of menstrual pattern and contraceptive adherence
#MMPMID26346663
Ajah LO
; Onubogu ES
; Anozie OB
; Lawani LO
; Iyoke CA
; Onwe EO
; Ajah MI
Patient Prefer Adherence
2015[]; 9
(?): 1219-24
PMID26346663
show ga
BACKGROUND: Reproductive health services in the form of adolescent health and
contraceptive services are fundamental in the prevention of a high incidence of
teenage pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine the age at
menarche, menstrual pattern, and awareness of and use of modern contraception
among secondary school girls in Abakaliki, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND MATERIALS: This
was a cross-sectional study in which self-administered questionnaires were
completed by 482 adolescent girls at two girls' secondary schools between August
and September 2012. RESULTS: The mean age at menarche was 13.13±1.37 years. The
mean menstrual cycle length was 27.8±3.14 days, and the mean duration of
menstrual flow was 4.8±1.14 days. Thirty-seven (7.7%) respondents were ignorant
of their cycle length, while 29 (6.0%) had irregular cycles. Premenstrual
syndrome and dysmenorrhea were major menstrual issues, which resulted in 69
(14.3%) and 59 (12.2%) of respondents resorting to self-medication and
absenteeism from school, respectively. Mothers were the main source of their
daughters' adolescent education, while friends and mass media were the main
source of contraceptive information. Though there was a high level (75.7%) of
awareness of contraceptive information among the girls, usage (8.9%) was poor.
Only eight (18.6%) of the 43 respondents who had ever used modern contraception
were adherent to modern contraceptives. Students who were more than 15 years old,
attained menarche at 13 years or less, and whose families were of low
socioeconomic classes were more likely to be sexually active. CONCLUSION: The
declining age at menarche, menstrual challenges, and poor reproductive health
status of adolescent girls in this study have made menstrual issues and
contraceptive adherence critical aspects of adolescent health care, especially
when appropriate sources of reproductive health information were not fully
harnessed. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish adolescent-friendly
clinics and include sexuality education in the curriculum of schools in this
environment.
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