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Context: In India nearly 71% of adolescent girls have no knowledge about menstruation until menarche. Menstrual practices still face several social, cultural, and religious restrictions and discouragement of open discussion on the topic acts like a major deterrent in the path of menstrual hygiene management. Moreover, lack of knowledge and incorrect practices during menstruation can sometimes have serious health outcomes. Hence, it becomes imperative to ascertain the knowledge of adolescent girls about menstruation and reproductive health and the practices adopted by them during menstruation so that health education programs can to tailored to address the gaps. The study Aims: aims to assess the knowledge of adolescent girls and their current practices with regard to menstrual hygiene and reproductive health and study the association of these with socio-demographic variables. This cross-sectional community based Methods: descriptive study was conducted among 181 adolescent girls selected from two urbanized villages of Meerut district of India using a semi-structured questionnaire. For assessment of level of knowledge a scoring system was developed. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Based on the scoring, 77.3% of our study participants had overall poor Results: knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health, nearly 20% had satisfactory knowledge and only 2.2% had good knowledge. Most participants reported using sanitary napkins during menses (80.7%) and the remaining were using clean cloth (19.3%). 100% of the participants whose mothers were illiterate had poor knowledge about menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. Participants whose mothers were engaged in semi-skilled or skilled work were more likely to have satisfactory (39.4%) or good (4.3%) knowledge scores. Overall knowledge of our study participants regarding Conclusion: menstrual hygiene and reproductive health was poor; however the practices adopted by them during menstruation were good. The two main impediments in the path of menstrual hygiene management were lack of knowledge and non availability of services at affordable cost
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@#Introduction: Anaemia in India is still a point of concern when it comes to adolescent girls. Adolescent girls are more prone to develop anaemia if they lack knowledge on how to manage the menace of anaemia in adolescence. The study was conducted to identify the prevalence of anaemia in adolescent girls and assess the effectiveness of teaching program on knowledge regarding prevention of anaemia in adolescent girls. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. First phase adopted exploratory survey design and second phase involved one group pre-test post-test design. The sample consisted of 400 adolescent girls (13 – 15) years studying in rural schools of Haldwani block, Uttarakhand. Results: The study results revealed that about 90 (22.5%) adolescent girls were anaemic. Maximum 64 (71%) adolescent girls had average knowledge regarding anaemia and its prevention. There was 11% enhancement in the level of knowledge of anaemic adolescent girls post administration of teaching program and was significant at 0.05 level. Conclusion: The present study found that there was significant enhancement in the level of knowledge of adolescent girls in the post-test. Thus, it emphasizes the need to educate the adolescent girls regarding dietary choices they make so that it may help in reducing prevalence of anaemia in later ages of life in young girls of India.
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Iron?deficiency anemia has continued to remain high in India. It is possibly due to relying on only iron–folic acid (IFA) supplementation through Anemia Control Program (ACP) that is National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI). Based on the WHO’s recommendations, we studied different interventions that can help to increase the effectiveness of NIPI such as Vitamin C supplementation with IFA, low?dose iron (LDI) with intensified health education (IHE), LDI with Vitamin C, and iron?rich food items to increase hemoglobin (Hb%) among adolescent girls through public–private partnership named Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram. Increments in Hb after 12 weeks of interventions were compared with that of control groups one with NIPI and the other without any intervention. Highest increment in Hb% was observed in IFA under NIPI plus Vitamin C group, followed by LDI plus IHE group which was comparable to Hb increment in only the NIPI group. It emphasizes the need of making existing NIPI more stringent and comprehensive by integrating effective measures based on up?to?date scientific knowledge.
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Background: Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infectious pandemic that has recently emerged. Preventive steps made to curb the spread have far-reaching consequences across all sectors and age groups. Adolescents are the most silent victims. They are not unconcerned about the COVID-19 Pandemic's severe psychological impact. Fears, uncertainty, significant changes in their routines, physical and social isolation, and a high level of parental stress affect them. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of the COVID- 19 pandemic on mental health of adolescent girls. Methodology: Data was collected through an online survey during the month of June and July 2021. In this study, 228 participants were included. The impact of the Corona virus pandemic on participants' mental health was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Result: The study showed that most of the adolescent girls were feeling stressful due to not able to go to school (75%), not able to meet friends (56%) and confined in a house during COVID-19 pandemic. 66% girls showed fear of corona infection, 50% girls were worried, 35% were showed anxiety whereas 25% girls showed restlessness and fear of death due to COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings imply that during the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescent girls are more concerned about government constraints aimed at preventing the virus's spread, and that these concerns are linked to higher anxiety, fear, restlessness, and worry. To avoid the situation from worsening, more research and support should be done.
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Background: Menstruation is natural physiological processes. Psychosocial and religious taboos around it make it complicated as health issue. Poor menstrual health is not only associated with health and well?being of women, but also reflects on morbidity and mortality patterns of female population. Aim and Objectives: The study aims to assess the effect of a structured lecture on the knowledge and awareness about practices of menstrual health in adolescent girls of urban slum. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls of slum area in Aurangabad city of Maharashtra. Pre-structured Questionnaire to assess the knowledge and practices about menstruation and menstrual hygiene was given. Structured lecture was organized and postlecture questionnaire was taken. Results: 72% were in age group of 10–14 years and mean age of menarche was 12.7 years. Before lecture 64% had poor awareness about hygienic menstrual practices, 24% had fair, 12% had good awareness. But after the lecture, the majority of girls, that is, 56% showed good awareness, 30% had fair while 14% girls still showed the poor awareness. This difference was found statistically significant. The reasons behind the unhygienic practices most commonly quoted were poverty, high cost of sanitary pads, ignorance and lack of privacy. Conclusion: If perception and attitude of adolescent girls toward menstrual hygiene is improved then it will definitely enhance their reproductive health. Moreover, awareness created among them will indirectly affect their mother’s reproductive health and their next female generation as well.
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The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme of the Government of India wishes to generate awareness among adolescent girls, and provide them with hygienic and affordable sanitary napkins. The scheme has been criticised for many reasons by various reviewers. However, we draw attention to a hitherto unaddressed gap that the scheme has effectively overlooked, the menstrual hygiene needs of disabled adolescent girls, and has thereby denied them their right to health and healthcare. This exacerbates health disparities, and raises questions of public health ethics. We conclude with recommendations on how to redress the situation and make the scheme more inclusive.
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Introduction : Menstruation is still surrounded by many myths, misconceptions and taboos. Adolescent girls in India, seems to have inadequate and inaccurate knowledge on menstruation and its hygiene. Improper menstrual hygiene can lead to reproductive tract infections which can adversely affect a woman's reproductive health. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of health education in improving the knowledge on menstruation and menstrual hygiene practice among rural adolescent girls of India. Method: An interventional study was done among 82 college girls selected by convenient sampling in a rural area of Tamilnadu, India. Intervention done was health education on menstrual physiology and hygiene practice using animated video and interactive session in local language. Questionnaire on knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene practice was administered to the participants before health education session. Improvement in knowledge and practice was assessed after one month of the session. Results: Baseline knowledge about menstruation was adequate only for 57.5 percent of participants. Baseline menstrual hygiene practice was good only among 8.8 percent of participants. Following health education, knowledge about menstruation significantly improved to 90%. Menstrual hygiene practice also showed a significant improvement from 8.8% to 30 percent%. Conclusion: This study showed that providing a comprehensive health education on menstrual physiology and hygiene would greatly improve the menstrual hygiene practice of adolescent girls.
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Purpose: Anemia is common in adolescent girls. Apprehension while drawing blood to estimate hemoglobin concentration is a barrier for confirming anemia. ToucHb, a noninvasive instrument that estimates the hemoglobin by taking an image of the exposed conjunctiva, was used during eye screening to help diagnose and treat anemia. Methods: ToucHb was used during secondary school eye screening and during house?to?house eye screening to estimate the hemoglobin concentration in the body. Each of the girls was distributed a packet of 60 tablets of ferrous and folate and a tablet of albendazole. They were followed up after 3 months. Results: Exactly 1511 municipal school girls aged 10?19 years (mean 12.9; standard deviation [SD] 1.64) were examined. Of them, 949 (62.8%) had hemoglobin of ?9 mg%. Among those girls with hemoglobin ?9 mg%, the mean (SD) during the initial and follow?up examinations was 6.1 (1.4) and 9.6 (1.03), respectively, by paired t?test (P < 0.001). Another 588 girls (average age 14.4 years, SD 1.2) had their eyes examined and hemoglobin estimated during a house?to?house eye screening. Of them, 116 (19.7%) had hemoglobin level of ?9 mg%. Their pre?Hb was 7.9 (SD 1.05) on average and after 3 months, it was 9.6 (SD 1.02). Among those girls with hemoglobin ?9 mg%, the mean (SD) during the initial and follow?up examinations was 6.2 (1.4) and 7.9 (1.1), respectively, by paired t?test (P < 0.001). Conclusion: ToucHb was useful to diagnose anemia while doing eye screening and to ensure its treatment. Anemia diagnosis and management would enhance the health of adolescent girls.
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Background: Dysmenorrhoea is a common problem during menses in adolescent girls which affects their quality of life, academic activities, cannot attend social functions and use over the counter medicines which may lead to dangerous adverse effects and infertility. Objectives: 1. To study the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls studying in government municipal high schools of Tirupati. 2.To determine the significant factors related to menstrual distress in adolescent girls. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among 320 adolescent girls studying in the selected government high schools of Tirupati, India. The study investigated symptoms, related factors and consequences of menstrual distress in adolescent girls with dysmenorrhea. Four instruments were used to collect data: Questionnaires on Demographic Data, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, A Questionnaire related to Menstrual characters and A Short Form McGill Pin Questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea among adolescent girls was found 67.7%. Regression analysis indicated that the best subset for predicting menstrual distress in adolescent girls included MPQ-SF, menstrual cycle in days, socioeconomic status and education. Conclusions: Majority (67.7%) of the adolescent girls were suffering with dysmenorrhoea. Menstrual distress is significantly correlated with impact on daily activities, absence from class, and analgesic usage.
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Background: Adolescent is the period of the life between the ages of 10-19 years. Adolescence is time to learn and adopt healthy habits to avoid many health and nutritional problems later in life. Objective of this study is to assess the nutritional status of adolescent girls by anthropometric measurements and to determine the association between different individual and family level factors with under nutrition. Methods: It is a community based cross-sectional study conducted among adolescent girls of age between 10-19 years in rural areas of Tirupati. The study sample was 188. BMI for age <-2SD is considered as thinness. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect individual and family level factors and analysed using appropriate statistical tests with SPSS26th version. Results: Prevalence of thinness and overweight/obese among adolescent girls in this study was 17% and 17.6%. Thinness was significantly high among girls with family size is more than five(23.8% vs 8.4%), who attained menarche at >11 years (17.1% vs 0%) and who are not doing regular physical activity(22.3% vs 9.2%). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed socioeconomic status, family size and physical activity are significant predictors of thinness. Conclusions: It can be concluded from this study that thinness was significantly high among adolescent girls with family size >5, who attained menarche at >11 years and who does not have the habit of doing regular physical activity.
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Globally, COVID-19 has impacted lives and livelihoods. Women living with HIV and/or at high risk of acquiring HIV are socially and economically vulnerable. Less is known of the impact of COVID-19 public health responses on women from key and vulnerable populations. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey conducted in four South African provinces with a high burden of HIV and COVID-19 from September to November 2021 was to advance understanding of the socio-economic and health care access impact of COVID-19 on women living with HIV or at high risk of acquiring HIV. A total of 2 812 women >15 years old completed the survey. Approximately 31% reported a decrease in income since the start of the pandemic, and 43% an increase in food insecurity. Among those accessing health services, 37% and 36% reported that COVID-19 had impacted their access to HIV and family planning services respectively. Economic and service disruptions were enhanced by living in informal housing, urbanisation and being in the Western Cape. Food insecurity was increased by being a migrant, having fewer people contributing to the household, having children and experience of gender-based violence. Family planning service disruptions were greater for sex workers and having fewer people contributing to the household. These differentiated impacts on income, food security, access to HIV and family planning services were mediated by age, housing, social cohesion, employment and household income, highlighting the need for improved structural and systemic interventions to reduce the vulnerability of women living with HIV or at high risk of acquiring HIV.
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HIV Infections , Vulnerable Populations , Food Supply , Food Supply , COVID-19 , Women , Public Health , Epidemiology , Health ServicesABSTRACT
SUMMARY: This study aimed to explore the effects of a single moderate-intensity aerobic endurance running program on the morphological characteristics of normal-weighted and overweighted female adolescents and whether effects differ between individuals of different nutritional statuses. A total of 47 adolescent girls participated in this randomized controlled trial. Before and after 12 weeks of intervention, measurements were obtained for body height, body mass, BMI, triceps, subscapular, abdominal, thigh, and calf skinfolds, and chest, abdominal, thigh, and calf circumference. The total duration of the program was 12 weeks, with a frequency of 2 hours/week (24 sessions). The individual session lasted 60 minutes, and the intensity ranged from 60 % HRmax to 80 %. The findings from the present study suggest that the 12-week aerobic endurance running program induced changes in morphological characteristics of female adolescents. The significant reductions in body mass and BMI were small for normal-weight adolescents (-2,64 % and -3,48 %) and moderate for overweight adolescents (-4,14 % and -4,36 %) following the experimental program. The magnitude of reductions in the skinfold thickness was small for both groups (triceps, subscapular, abdominal, and calf) and moderate for thigh skinfold and a sum of skinfolds in the overweight group. The reductions in the magnitude of all circular measures were small for both groups. It ranged from - 1.59 % to -2.59 % for normal-weight and from -2.54 % to -3.92 % for overweight adolescents, respectively. Additionally, the effects of the applied program seem more favorable to overweight than normal-weight adolescents. This study's current findings indicate that the 12-week aerobic endurance running program is effective due to improvements in morphological characteristics, body mass, and BMI of female adolescents. Additionally, this study's findings show that applied aerobic endurance running program proved more effective for overweight adolescents.
RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar los efectos de un programa único de carrera de resistencia aeróbica de intensidad moderada sobre las características morfológicas de mujeres adolescentes con peso normal y con sobrepeso y si los efectos difieren entre individuos con diferentes estados nutricionales. Un total de 47 niñas adolescentes participaron en este ensayo controlado aleatorio. Antes y después de 12 semanas de intervención, se obtuvieron mediciones de altura corporal, masa corporal, IMC, tríceps, pliegues cutáneos subescapular, abdominal, muslo y pantorrilla, y circunferencia torácica, abdominal, muslo y pantorrilla. La duración total del programa fue de12 semanas, con una frecuencia de 2 horas/semana (24 sesiones). La sesión individual tuvo una duración de 60 minutos y la intensidad osciló entre el 60 % y el 80 % de la FCmáx. Los hallazgos del presente estudio sugieren que el programa de carrera de resistencia aeróbica de 12 semanas indujo cambios en las características morfológicas de las adolescentes. Las reducciones significativas en la masa corporal y el IMC fueron menores para los adolescentes con peso normal (-2,64 % y -3,48 %) y moderadas para los adolescentes con sobrepeso (-4,14 % y -4,36 %) después del programa experimental. La magnitud de las reducciones en el grosor del pliegue cutáneo fue pequeña para ambos grupos (tríceps, subescapular, abdominal y pantorrilla) y moderada para el pliegue cutáneo del muslo y la suma de los pliegues cutáneos en el grupo con sobrepeso. Las reducciones en la magnitud de todas las medidas circulares fueron pequeñas para ambos grupos. Osciló entre -1,59 % y -2,59 % para normopeso y entre -2,54 % y -3,92 % para adolescentes con sobrepeso, respectivamente. Además, los efectos del programa aplicado parecen más favorables para los adolescentes con sobrepeso que para aquellos de peso normal. Los hallazgos actuales de este estudio indican que el programa de carreras de resistencia aeróbica de 12 semanas es eficaz, debido a las mejoras en las características morfológicas, la masa corporal y el IMC de las adolescentes. Además, los hallazgos de este estudio muestran que el programa de carrera de resistencia aeróbica aplicada demostró ser más efectivo para los adolescentes con sobrepeso.
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Humans , Female , Adolescent , Physical Endurance/physiology , Running/physiology , Nutritional Status , Body Weight , Exercise , Body Mass IndexABSTRACT
Introduction. L'objectif de cette étude était de contribuer à l'étude de la mortalité maternelle chez les adolescentes. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude retro-prospective descriptive et analytique cas témoin, d'une durée de trois ans. La collecte rétrospective avait porté sur deux (2) ans allant du 1er Janvier 2018 au 31 Décembre 2019 et celle prospective sur un (1) an allant du 1er Janvier 2020 au 31 Décembre 2020. Résultats. Durant la période d'étude nous avons enregistré 38 cas de décès maternels sur 16175 naissances vivantes soit un ratio de 235 décès pour 100000 naissances vivantes. Le décès concerne l'adolescente de 18-19 ans (65,8%), mariée (63,2%), non scolarisé (42,1%), et nullipare (65,8%). La majorité des adolescentes avait effectué 1-3 CPN (44,7%), et provenait d'une maternité périphérique (84,2%) et avait accouché par voie basse (78,4%). Le moyen de transport le plus utilisé était le transport en commun (63,2%). La cause de décès était dominée par l'hémorragie (44,7%). Le post-partum a été la période la plus pourvoyeuse de décès (52,6%). Conclusion. La mortalité maternelle constitue un problème de santé majeure dans notre pays, sa réduction nécessite la mobilisation de tous les acteurs de la société et implique une bonne éducation pour la santé, l'amélioration de la qualité du suivi prénatal et celle des soins obstétricaux d'urgence.
Introduction. The objective of this study was to contribute to the study of adolescent maternal mortality. Methods. This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical case-control study, lasting three years. The retrospective data collection covered two (2) years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 and the prospective one over one (1) year from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Results. During the study period we recorded 38 cases of maternal deaths out of 16,175 live births, ie a ratio of 235 deaths per 100,000 live births. The death concerns an adolescent girl aged 18-19 (65.8%), married (63.2%), out of school (42.1%), and nulliparous (65.8%). The majority of adolescent girls had performed 1-3 ANC (44.7%), and had come from a peripheral maternity hospital (84.2%) and had given birth vaginally (78.4%). The most used mode of transportation was public transit (63.2%) The cause of death was dominated by hemorrhage (44.7%). The postpartum period was the most significant period of death (52.6%). Conclusion: Maternal mortality is a major health problem in our country, its reduction requires the mobilization of all actors in society and involves good health education, improving the quality of prenatal care and that of obstetric care emergency
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Humans , Female , Adolescent , Pregnancy Complications , Maternal Mortality , Risk Factors , Cause of Death , Pregnant Women , Postpartum HemorrhageABSTRACT
Background: This study evaluates the relationship between Internet Addiction and mental health among adolescent student of three Army Public Schools located at Lucknow Cantt. Methodology: 513 participants (260 boys and 253 girls) in the study were 9th and 11th grade students in the age range of 14 to 18 years. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) developed by Kimberly Young (1996) was used to measure the addiction of Internet among adolescent and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38) designed by Davies, Sherbourne, Peterson and Ware (1998) was used to assess the multi-dimensional nature of psychological distress and psychological well-being, including: Anxiety, Depression, Loss of Behavioural/Emotional Control, General Positive Affect, Emotional Ties and Life Satisfaction. t-test was carried out to determine the significance of difference between boys and girls on Internet addiction and six domains of mental health. Correlation analysis was carried out to identify the relationship between Internet Addiction and mental health separately for boys and girls. Results: The results have indicated that boys had significantly higher Internet Addiction as compared to girls. Boys had significantly higher levels of anxiety and loss of emotional/behavioural control whereas girls significantly outscored boys on the dimensions of depression, general positive affect, emotional ties and life satisfaction. Among boys Internet Addiction had a significant positive correlation with anxiety, depression and loss of behavioural/ emotional control whereas it had a significant negative effect on general positive affect, emotional ties and life satisfaction. Among girls Internet Addiction had a significant positive correlation with depression, loss of emotional/ behavioural control whereas it had a significant negative correlation with general positive affect, emotional ties and life satisfaction. Conclusion: Internet addiction has a significant impact on the mental health of adolescent boys and girls and further studies in this regard are warranted.
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@#Introduction: Indonesia has initiated the weekly iron-folic acid supplementation programme (WIFS) among adolescent school girls since 2016. However, its acceptability needs to be investigated. This study aimed to assess the acceptability of WIFS and its influencing factors. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in six schools in Yogyakarta from January-April 2018. Totally, 211 participants aged 12-18 years were involved in the cross-sectional survey, followed by four focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs). Body mass index-for-age, haemoglobin, serum ferritin, habitual intake, and acceptability (defined as selfreported iron folic acid tablet consumption) were assessed. Results: This study reported that 22.3% and 12.4% of the participants were categorised as iron deficient and anaemic, respectively. Almost 90% of participants had received the tablet, but only 62.0% of them reported consuming it. Logistic regression test indicated that the participants were more likely to take the tablet if it tasted good [OR (95%CI): 4.66 (1.90-11.43)]. Meanwhile, motivation for tablet consumption declined when respondents perceived the odour of tablet was unpleasant, reported forgetfulness, lacked peer support, and experienced side effects, with OR (95%CI) of 0.23 (0.07- 0.77), 0.35 (0.13-0.95), 0.30 (0.08-0.58), and 0.04 (0.04-0.39), respectively. The results from FGD and IDIs strengthened the findings that the experience of nausea, organoleptic properties of iron-folic acid tablet, forgetfulness, and mother’s support play important roles in students’ acceptability. Conclusion: This study found moderate acceptability towards the WIFS programme. The inhibiting and reinforcing factors of WIFS acceptability in this study could be considered as inputs for programme improvements in the future.
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Background: Despite the strides made in the field of adolescent and women health, menstrual problems remain a stigma. Unsatisfactory menstrual hygiene practices have a profound influence on the adolescent girl’s health and academic performance. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between school absenteeism and poor MHM and its impacts on school girl’s day to day lives.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 384 adolescent girls enrolled in anganwadi centres of the urban slum of Madhya Pradesh from January to June 2018. A pre-designed and pretested questionnaire used to collect the data regarding menstrual hygiene practices and school absenteeism. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.).Results: The study found that around two-thirds (64.3%) and nearly one third (30%) of the participants were using a simple cloth and sanitary pads. About half (50.6%) of the respondents miss their school during the menstruation. Majority of them perceived that menstruation interferes with their school performance. The main reason for missing the schools was fear/ shame of leakage. In multivariable regression lack of sanitary facilities and painful menstruation remained significant predictors of school absenteeism.Conclusions: There is a dire need to fortify efforts directed towards increasing awareness on menstrual hygiene, to revamp the existing measures for improving menstrual health of the adolescent girls. Focused attention is warranted by policymakers to improve the quality of life of this vulnerable group.
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Background: Overweight and increased Body MassIndex (BMI) have been among the major changes ingirls and is one of the likely factors affecting themenarche age. Aim and Objectives: To determinecorrelation of age at menarche with BMI in adolescentgirls of urban and rural schools of Vijayapura, NorthKarnataka. Material and Methods:Aprospective crosssectional study was conducted by Department ofObstetrics and Gynaecology, Shri. B. M. Patil MedicalCollege Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemedst thto be University), between 1 July 2019 to 29 February2020.Girls below the age of 19 years who had attainedmenarche were included. Height and weight weremeasured, and BMI was calculated. Statistical analysiswas carried out in SPSS software, version 23.0 andMicrosoft 2010. Correlation between age at menarcheand BMI was assessed in adolescent girls of urban andrural schools of Vijayapura. Results: The mean age atmenarche among adolescent girls of urban and ruralschools was about 13.6 ± 1.2 years. Among allparticipants, 60.2% were from urban area and 39.8%were from rural area. The mean age of the menarchewas 13.8 ± 1.2 in rural population and 13.5 ± 1.3 inurban population (p value <0.001). Among all studyparticipants, 48.3% had normal BMI; however, 29.8%,15.4%, 5.8% and 0.7% were underweight, severeunderweight, overweight, and obese respectively.Majority of girls had normal BMI in both urban (49.2%)and rural settings (47.0%). Conclusion: A statisticallysignificant association (p< 0.05) was noticed betweenonset of menarche and area of residence. There was aninverse correlation between BMI and age at menarche,although this was not statistically significant.
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Background: Rubella infection occurring during early pregnancy results in congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). WHO estimates that worldwide more than 100,000 children are born with CRS each year and most of them are in the developing countries. For assessing population immunity against rubella, sero-surveys are generally recommended among adolescent girls and reproductive age female. In India, sero-surveys conducted by different authors have indicated that about 10-30% of adolescent females are susceptible to rubella infection. Adolescent girls are selected because they are at a critical stage of child bearing age and their immunity against Rubella infection is the particular area of interest. objective of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of unvaccinated adolescent girls susceptible to Rubella virus infection attending a tertiary care hospital of Patna and then accordingly counsel for vaccination.Methods: A total 150 adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years who had not received MMR vaccine were included in the study. Serum IgG antibody titer for rubella was estimated by the ELISA method.Results: A total 65.33% of the adolescent girls were found to be rubella seropositive and (34.67%) were seronegative. The urban adolescent girls had a higher seropositivity of 85.2% as compared to rural adolescent girls.Conclusions: The study indicates that a substantial number of adolescents (34.67%) are seronegative and hence susceptible to rubella infection.
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Background: The objective of this study was to highlight obstetrical complications that occurred among adolescent girls who delivered at the ward and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of such complications.Methods: This was a prospective study of descriptive and analytical type extending over a period of one year from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017 carried out at the maternity ward of Ignace Deen National Hospital at Conakry Teaching Hospital (CHU). It covered a continuous series of 1034 deliveries among adolescent girls.Results: The frequency of childbirth among adolescent girls was 16.7%. The main complications identified were dystocia, severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, retroplacental hematoma, placenta previa, uterine rupture, severe anemia, postpartum hemorrhage and puerperal endometritis. These complications occurred among adolescent girls aged 18 to 19, christian, skin and pelvic bones secondary school or university students. Factors associated with such complications were the marital status (p=0.010), the gestational age (p=0.012), the number of prenatal consultations (p=0.001), the place of prenatal consultation (p=0.001), the reason for admission (p=0.000) and the mode of admission (p=0.000).Conclusions: Childbirth among adolescent girls is frequent in this context; complications are numerous but they are preventable in the vast majority of cases.
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Background: The term adolescence involves the period of various changes in the body of both males and females, which includes physical, mental, cognitive, developmental, and socio-behavioral changes. The period of adolescence starts from the age of 10 years and it lasts until the age of 19 years. The age at menarche in girls usually ranges between 14 and 16 years. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the various pattern of the menstrual cycle in adolescent girls and to compare the menstrual cycle pattern among rural and urban girls. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 868 adolescent girls after obtaining Ethical Committee Clearance. After obtaining informed written consent, a questionnaire was explained to them in their native language for easy understanding. The questionnaire was structured to obtain information relating to the age at menarche, duration of bleeding, severity of bleeding, awareness of menstruation, source of information about menstruation, cultural practices during menstrual cycles, regarding various menstrual problems, and treatment practices among the study population. The data thus obtained were tabulated and analyzed statistically using SPSS software. Results: There was a statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference present between rural and urban girls’ menstrual cycle pattern with respect to dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms, and problems related to menstrual flow and menstrual practices such as diaper usage, home culture, and food habits. Conclusion: The menstrual cycle pattern differs significantly between rural and urban girls. This analysis shows decreased awareness of the menstrual cycle in rural girls than urban girls. Hence, proper health education can be given to improve their knowledge.