Avtor/Urednik		Štefančič, Marija; Ferenčak, Manja
Naslov		Studies of menarche in Slovenia
Tip		članek
Vir		In: Bodzsar EB, Susanne C, Prokopec M, editors. Puberty: variability of changes and complexity of factors. Budapest: Eoetvoes university press,
Leto izdaje		2000
Obseg		str. 139-46
Jezik		eng
Abstrakt		Menarche is the most applied criterion for estimations of sexual maturity as it is objective, thus comparisons between social classes, generations, and populations are possible. Škerlj was the first to study menarche in Slovenia. He dealt with the influence of living conditions, diet, and generational differences on the first appearance of menstruation. After the Second World War further studies were performed, the most extensive by Pavčič who studied the influence of environmental and genetic factors. Data for menarche were also collected during systematic investigations of physical development in Ljubljana school children. The generational studies of menarche during the 50 year long period showed a secular trend of earlier menstruation. An intense acceleration was noticed between 1939/40 and 1969/71, while in the last 30 years the trend is hardly perceivable. The last extended study was done in the Maribor region in 1998. The socio-economic influences, the influence of urban and extra-urban environments as well as the secular trend in twenty year long periods were investigated. A decrease in the mean menarcheal age from 1978 to 1998 was noticed in the city as well as in its surroundings. This trend was more intense in the rural environment, leading to the equalization of menarcheal age in both environments, while the differences in the mean age of menarche were significant 20 years ago in favour of the city population. The significant influence of better living conditions on the earlier age of the menstrual cycle onset was also established. The most important environmental factors found were: maternal education, small number of siblings, and various extracurricular activities and sports.
Deskriptorji		MENARCHE CHILD SLOVENIA AGE FACTORS RURAL POPULATION URBAN POPULATION