Abstract

Background: The onset of menstruation is part of the maturation process. However, variability in menstrual cycle characteristics and menstrual disorders are common. This variability depend on many factors.

Aims & Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine the menarcheal age of school going girls and also to evaluate the effect of factors like Socio-economic status, Nutritional status, and Participation in games/ physical activity on menarcheal age in school going girls in Jhalawar.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on school going girls with age ranging from 12 to 16 years. Menarche data were obtained by the status-quo method regarding menarcheal age by asking a girl of her current status that is she has had her first menses by the time of assessment. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire on menstruation. Questionnaire included general demographic information, socioeconomic data, food habit and physical activity.

Results: Out of 353 numbers of girls 58.07% (205) were from government school and 41.93% (148) from private school. 53.46% girls form government school and 77.03% girls from private school got menarche at

Key words: Menarcheal Age; Nutritional Status; Physical Activity; Socioeconomic Status