ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AGE OF MENARCHE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AT PESAWARAN REGENCY( RURAL AREA) Leni

Ervina, Aditiawati Departement of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Sriwijaya University Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Hospital, Palembang

Abstract Background Menarche or the first menstrual period usually occurs between age 10 and 14 years. It is suggested that there are differences between age of menarche for urban and rural girls associated with nutritional status. Previous study in our center in Palembang shown that better nutritional status was associated with earlier menarche Objective To identify of association between age of menarche and nutritional status on rural area Methods Profil all junior high schools in Pesawaran Regency Lampung were obtained using questionnaire, including age of menarche, weight, height, parents' occupation. Nutritional status was determined using CDC weight for height curve, and classified to well nourished (weight for height index from percentile 5 to 95) and under nourished (weight for height index percentile 5 less). Cut off age at menarche of 12 years old was used and the proportion of those with well and under nourished was compared. Results One hundred thirty two(66,67%) of 198 girls questioned had their first period. Of those, one at nine year, 12 at 10 year, 95 at 12 year, 22 at 13 year and two at 14 year. Nine(69,23%) out of 13 girls who had menarch at 12 year old or before was well nourished compared to 165(86,49%) of 185 who had menarch at after 12 years. The difference was not statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p=0,103; OR 2,590; 95% CI 0,854 7,859). Conclusion There is no association between age of menarche and nutritional status on rural area. Keywords Menarche, rural areas, nutrition status, economics status