Influence of physiological variables and psychosocial factors on the onset of Menarche in schoolgirls of Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose To determine the impact of physical and psychosocial factors on the age of menarche in girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out on female students aged 11 to 16 years from four different schools in urban and rural areas of Karachi district, Pakistan in 2022. Subjects who had not yet menstruated were excluded. Bilingual questionnaires were used in the study to record the responses. Height and weight were measured using calibrated instruments. The population sample size was 307, with a 95% confidence level. The Kuppuswamy scale was used for socioeconomic status (SES) measurement. Results The mean age of menarche was found to be 11.9 ± 1.1 years. The study showed a significant correlation between age at menarche and height (p = 0.000), weight (p = 0.001), BMI (p = 0.009), physical activity (p = 0.007), female siblings (p = 0.082), psychological effect of lockdown (p = 0.035), father’s occupation (p = 0.002) and abusive home environment (p = 0.015). Diet, co-education, relation with father, total number of siblings, paternal presence or absence and socioeconomic status showed insignificant correlation with age at menarche. Various factors, particularly emotional abuse, can have far-reaching effects on the growth and development of female adolescents. Conclusion The results support the significant influence of height, weight, BMI, physical activity, father’s occupation, and abusive home environment on age at menarche.