A study to explore the bio-social factors related to age at menarche, Among School going girls

The present study entitled “To explore the Bio-social factors related to age at menarche among school going girls in a selected school, Coimbatore” was undertaken during the year 2013–2014 at KMCH College of Nursing, Coimbatore. The objectives of the study were to assess the incidence of early menarche among school going girls, to identify the Bio- social factors related to early menarche and to associate the Bio-social factors with age at menarche of the school going girls. The research design applied for the study was case control design. 300 school going girls studying at CSI Girls Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore were selected as the samples using non probability purposive sampling technique. The study result shows that, out of 300 girls, 102 (34%) girls attained early menarche. The Bio-social factors such as BMI (p=0.001), place of residence (p=0.012), family composition (p=0.002), socio-economic status (p < 0.05), dietary pattern (p=0.001), stress related factors (p=0.015), physical activity (p=0.009) and except genetic factor (p=0.11) showed a significant association with age at menarche. The study concluded that, the earlier occurrence of puberty is an ominous event that we can stop. The parents and the children should be aware about the effect of these Bio-social factors on menarche and about the consequences of early occurrence of menarche.