ABSTRACT
This study was
carried out to evaluate the pubertal experience and menstrual knowledge of
adolescent females in secondary schools of Abakaliki metropolis. The main
objective of the study is to unravel the major factors that engender the lack
of premenstrual cognition and to determine the pubertal experience of major
concern to adolescent females in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State. Two
secondary schools
were selected for this study within Abakaliki metropolis
,with a total of 200 participants. The study was carried out using a structured
questionnaire interview method. The result of the study indicated that
Menstruation is the major pubertal experience agitating adolescent females in
Abakaliki metropolis. More than half of the participants do not have a specific
understanding of menstruation, while only 18% of the respondents considered
menstruation to be an event that happens to the girl during puberty. Majority
of the girls had their menarche while in junior secondary class, while 32.5%
girls had their menarche while in their primary class. The mother of the girls
was recorded as the dominant source of premenstrual information, while the
sister recorded a smaller proportion (27%). In relation to the aim of this
study, the result from this research has revealed that menstruation remains the
most agitating pubertal experience, and this could probably be due to its
significance in female fertility. Participants with prior knowledge about
puberty and menses have more positive attitude towards puberty, menstruation
and hygiene in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State. Therefore, proper prior
knowledge related to aspects of menstruation before menarche age is attained is
essential.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - - - -
i
Certification - - - - - - - - - - - -
ii
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - - - iii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - -
iv
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - - - v
CHAPTER
ONE
1.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - - - -
1
1.2 Project Objectives - - - - - - - - - -
1.3
Research Aim - - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Puberty - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.2 The Role of Education - - - - - - - - - -
2.2.1 Effect of Menstruation on Girls and
their Education - - - - - -
2.2.1
Effect of Environment on Puberty/ Menstrual Hygiene - - - - -
2.2.2 Menstrual Hygiene and Waste Management - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
THREE
MATERIALS
AND METHOD
3.1
Research Design - - - - - - - - - - -
3.2
Study Area - - - - - - - - - - -
3.3
Sampling Procedures - - - - - - - - - -
3.4
Data Analysis/ Statistics - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
FOUR
RESULTS
CHAPTER
FIVE
DISCUSSION
Conclusion
/ Recommendation - - - - - - - - - -
Limitation of the Study
and Future Directive - - - - - - -
References
- - - - - - - - - - - -
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: The
Distribution of Respondent’s Source of Menstrual Awareness - - -
Figure 2: Distribution
of respondents according to their prior knowledge on
menstruation - - - - - - - - - - - -
Figure 3: Agreement to menstrual pain, drug use,
reproductive implication and
individual
reaction - - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER
ONE
1.1
INTRODUCTION
One
very important stage in human life span is the adolescence stage, which is
marked by onset of puberty. Puberty usually comes with certain changes which
encompass the physical, emotional and social facets of human life. It is at
this stage that one crosses the line between childhood and adulthood (Alavi and
Khosravi, 2009). Puberty has changes that can directly or indirectly affect the
future of a girl and that of her children (Abdolahi et al., 2004). When
the prospect of puberty is not known, this could result in certain challenges,
which includes early sexual activity, dropping out of school, drug abuse,
unsuccessful marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, psychosomatic and social
problems.(Abdolahi et al., 2004 and Ahmadi et al., 2009).
Among
every other pubertal experience, it has been observed that menarche is the most
terrifying experience. Menarche is usually associated with various biological
changes that encompass physiological, sexual, emotional and cognitive changes
and many lead to pubertal mood disorders in teenagers. Changes such as
socializing pattern, conviction and vision as well as teenagers altered
understanding of themselves may be one of the culprits (Marano, 2007).
The development of a female child into an
adult woman is a complex process. Puberty and the hormones that are responsible
for the physical and psychological changes are generally viewed as a rough and
often unpredictable storm that must be weathered by the surrounding
adults. However, there is interplay
between the endocrine regulators and the end-organ responses to this hormonal
symphony that leads to reproductive capacity and psychosocial maturation (Marano,
2007).
Physically, female puberty is marked by
accelerated growth and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
Secondary sexual characteristics are those that distinguish two different sexes
in a species, but are not directly part of the reproductive system (Marano,
2007).
There
are differences in timing and expression of maturation based on ethnicity,
geography, and genetics. Other factors that can affect puberty are nutritional
status and state of health of the individual can influence development. Being
familiar with the spectrum that encompasses normal development is critical to
identifying those rare cases when pathology is at the root of accelerated or
absent pubertal signs, and for the frequent reassurance that young adults and
their parents need to hear on the journey to womanhood (Ghahremani et al.,
2008).
Many
girls in our country lack appropriate and sufficient information regarding
puberty and menstrual health; this is so because of the traditional, cultural
or religious restrictions on discussing sexual and reproductive health and
related issues. It is believed that it is a sin discussing sexual and reproductive
health with adolescents because it is assumed to predispose them to sexual
practices and immoralities. The lack of this
premenstrual formal and informal education can only result into incorrect and
unhealthy behavior during their menstrual period instead. This is the rationale
in which the present study is built upon.
1.2
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
·
To determine the level of knowledge of
adolescent females about menstrual cycle and their practice and restrictions
during menstruation.
·
To determine what factors influence their
self care practice of menstrual hygiene.
·
To determine the pubertal experience of
major importance among adolescent females.
1.3:
RESEARCH AIM
Aim of the study was to
assess the pubertal experience, knowledge and attitude towards menstruation
among female adolescents in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State.
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