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Summary
The average age of menarche, the first menstrual period, for over 500 Somalian girls was 14.78 years. Regional differences were observed, indicating variations in the timing of puberty across Somalia.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive health
- Anthropology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Menarcheal age is a key indicator of female reproductive health and development.
- Understanding variations in menarcheal age is important for public health initiatives.
- Somalia, with diverse geographical and cultural contexts, presents a unique setting to study menarcheal patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mean age at menarche for Somalian girls.
- To investigate potential regional variations in menarcheal age within Somalia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 524 Somalian girls aged 16 years and above.
- The recollected-age method was employed to gather data on age at menarche.
- Participants were recruited from schools and communities across various regions, including the capital, Benadir, Upper, and Lower Giuba.
Main Results:
- The overall mean age at menarche was calculated to be 14.78 ± 0.07 years.
- Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the mean age at menarche among different regions of Somalia.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a baseline for the mean age at menarche in Somalian girls.
- Significant regional disparities in menarcheal age highlight the need for further investigation into influencing factors such as nutrition, genetics, and environment.