Human Reproduction
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2006, Pages 833-836

Age at menarche and its influencing factors in North Korean female refugees (Article) (Open Access)

Ku S.-Y. , Kang J.W. , Kim H. , Kim Y.D. , Jee B.C. , Suh C.S. , Choi Y.M. , Kim J.G. , Moon S.Y. , Kim S.H.*
  • a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Centre, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
  • b Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, South Korea
  • c Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, South Korea
  • d Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 361-763, South Korea
  • e Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
  • f Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Centre, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
  • g Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Centre, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
  • h Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
  • i Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Centre, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
  • j Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, South Korea, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Centre, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea

Abstract

Background: Age at menarche is known to be regulated by genetic and environmental factors. To date, no menarcheal data are available on North Korean women. In this cross-sectional survey, we investigated age at menarche and its possible influencing factors in North Korean refugees. Methods: Four hundred and eleven North Korean refugees were surveyed at a North Korean female refugee camp using a structured questionnaire within 3 months of immigration. Menarcheal age was requested and the data obtained were analysed with respect to age at interview, region of residence in North Korea, education, food preference and sleep duration. Results: Mean age at menarche was 16.0±2.1 years (mean±SD). Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference in the menarcheal age among the different food preference groups (P = 0.0236). Sleep duration was found to be significantly and negatively correlated with age at menarche (R = -0.23, P < 0.0001). However, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed that region of residence at menarche (P = 0.0209) and sleep duration (P = 0.0007) were significant determinants. Food preference played a role as an effect modifier in the relationship between the region of residence at menarche and age at menarche. Conclusions: Age at menarche seemed to be delayed in North Korean refugees. GLM analysis showed that sleep duration and region of residence at menarche were significant influencing factors of age at menarche in this study population. © 2006 Oxford University Press.

Author Keywords

Age at menarche Influencing factors North Korean refugees

Index Keywords

information processing education refugee sleep immigration human controlled study correlation function statistical significance interview female univariate analysis North Korea questionnaire prevalence Article food preference adult age statistical model Menarche
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33644866168&doi=10.1093%2fhumrep%2fdei271&partnerID=40&md5=6b80a1d5d1ff6653266b5cd33a9bd63f
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dei271
ISSN: 02681161
Cited by: 22
Original Language: English