OBJECTIVES

To determine the menstrual abnormalities experienced by adolescents and their health seeking behaviors in response to these problems with a view to providing appropriate services for young girls in this environment.

METHODS

A structured questionnaire was administered to adolescent girls at a secondary school in Kaduna, Nigeria between January and March 2006. Data obtained were analyzed using MINITAB and SPSS software packages.

RESULTS

The girls ranged between 12 and 18 years of age and the mean age at menarche was 12.81 years. Irregular menstrual cycles were present in 30.1%. Dysmenorrhoea was present in 61.27% and significantly associated with older age. Self medication was practiced by 56.60% and was significantly associated with older age. The most common premenstrual symptom was breast pain (89.96%). School absenteeism occurred in 15% due to dysmenorrhoea and 8.09% due to premenstrual symptoms with more than half of these girls being absent every month. Doctors were consulted by 17.93% for dysmenorrhoea and 14.45% for premenstrual symptoms. Majority of the girls (75.72%) had discussed menstrual problems with someone most commonly their mothers (68.70%). There was a general lack of information about menstrual issues especially with regards to cycle length, duration of menses and age at menarche.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to educate adolescent girls about menstrual issues in order to improve health seeking behavior regarding menstrual problems. Linkages between school health clubs and youth friendly services are required to increase access to appropriate services among adolescents.

Keywords: menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual symptoms, adolescents