Age at Menarche Among Adolescent Girls in Al-Ramadi/ Al-Anbar 2023

ABSTRACT
Background: The age at which a female reaches sexual maturity is critical in determining her future reproductive health and success. 
Objectives: To determine the average age at menarche of adolescent Iraqi girls in Al-Ramadi city  and its determinants. 
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at Al-Ramadi city during the period from first of March to the 30th of November 2023. The study included  380 female students who were selected from four intermediate and secondary schools in Al-Ramadi educational sector. Structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Analysis was done using statistical software; SPSS, and the statistical tests were applied accordingly at P. value ≤ 0.05 level of signifciance. 
Results: The mean age at menarche was 12.4±1.2 years. A significant association was found between age at menarche and each of mother's employee and high educational level, larger body mass index (BMI), realistic type of movies, physical inactivity, and previous exposure to violence, (P. value <0.05). 
Conclusion: The observed age at menarche was lower than age at menarche that reported in developed and many developing countries.

Keywords: Adolescence, Biological transformation, Menarche, Determinants