Menarcheal age of mothers and daughters: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

There is some evidence for a decreasing age of menarche in many populations. This study examined the secular trend of age at menarche among Iranian women. Age at menarche based on recall information was recorded for 770 pairs of mother and daughters. Between 1930 and 1990 mean menarcheal age of this cohort of women decreased from 13.88 to 12.98 years [-0.15 years per decade] and mean height of the cohort increased from 152.33 to 158.43 cm [+0.99 cm per decade]. There was a significant correlation between menarcheal age of mothers and their daughters [r = 0.27]. Year of birth, mother's menarcheal age and daughter's height were significant predictors of daughter's menarcheal age

Reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of Iranian college students

To study reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1111 university students completed a questionnaire with 43 closed questions. The overall mean knowledge score was 54%. Knowledge of males and females, and of married and single students, was similar. Of 664 students answering questions about reproductive health behaviour, 54 [8%] reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 16% of males and 0.6% of females; 48% of them had used condoms. The majority of students believed that the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was moderate but that youth had a low ability to practise healthy behaviour. The majority believed in the benefits of reproductive health knowledge for youth but felt that services were inadequate