Contributions to the study of the change in the onset age of menarche in Bacau County

F. Isopescu, A. Muntean, A. Stângaciu

Rezumat: In recent decades there has been a downward trend in age at menarche. Given its implications for the health and the wellbeing of women, the aim of this study is to determine the average age of onset of menarche and the factors which influence it in Bacau County. This study was conducted among 300 women from Bacau County. The data was collected retrospectively in the form of a structured questionnaire that gathered information on the subjects, including demographic characteristics, anthropometric data, lifestyles, level of physical activity and onset manarche date. The data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS.16). Statistical significance was determined at P <0.05. The average age at menarche was observed to be 13.28 years, calculated for the entire female population. The average menarcheal age for women under 25 years was 13.04 years and for women over 25 years was 13.65 years, difference which brings under discussion the existence of a downward trend. The resulting average age of menarche for the rural and urban studied population was 13.35 years and 13.21 years, respectively. The girls had their first menses approximately one year earlier than their mothers. The results of this study showed a downward trend in age at menarche and the presence of statistically significant correlations between the age of menarche and the socio-economic status, the education level of parents, the level of physical activity and other factors. There was no evidence that links the age at menarche with the residence, family size, number of older sisters, family type (single parent vs. two parents).
Cuvinte cheie: age at menarche, puberty, socio-economic status.