Menstrual Knowledge Among Adolescents and Young Adults Across Developmental Stages Ergenler ve Genç Yetişkinlerde Gelişimsel Dönemlere Göre Menstrüel Bilgi Düzeyi
Guncel Pediatri, cilt.26, sa.2, ss.111-118, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/jcp.2026.34032
- Dergi Adı: Guncel Pediatri
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.111-118
- Anahtar Kelimeler: adolescents, developmental stages, ergen, gelişimsel evreler, genç yetişkin, menstrual health education, Menstrual knowledge, Menstrüel bilgi, menstrüel sağlık eğitimi, young adults
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction: As the menstrual cycle is considered a vital sign of adolescent health, understanding normal menstrual characteristics is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate menstrual knowledge among adolescent and young adult females across different developmental stages and to examine the association between receiving menstrual information and menstrual knowledge. Materials and Methods: A total of 257 adolescent and young adult females aged 10-24 years were included in the study and completed an online, self-administered questionnaire. Participants were categorized into early (10-14 years), middle (15-18 years), and late adolescence/young adulthood (19-24 years). Sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual information sources, and menstrual knowledge were assessed using multiple-choice questions. Each correct response to menstrual knowledge questions in accordance with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2015 Committee opinion, was scored as 1 point (total score: 0-4), with higher scores indicating greater menstrual knowledge. Participants who correctly answered all items were classified as having complete menstrual knowledge. Results: Overall, 91.4% of participants reported receiving menstrual information, most commonly from parents (70.8%), followed by the internet/media (58.8%) and school/teachers (58.4%). Complete menstrual knowledge rates (64.3% vs 31.8%, p=0.003) and menstrual knowledge scores (3.66±0.59 vs. 3.00±1.12, p=0.002) were significantly higher among those who had received menstrual information compared with those who had not. Both complete menstrual knowledge rates and knowledge scores increased across developmental stages (p=0.029 and p=0.003, respectively), with the highest levels observed in late adolescence/young adulthood. Conclusion: Although most adolescents and young adults reported having received menstrual information, correct menstrual knowledge remained suboptimal, particularly during early and middle adolescence. These findings underscore the importance of structured, developmentally adapted menstrual health education programs that extend beyond simple information dissemination. Integrating age-appropriate menstrual education into school curricula and routine adolescent healthcare may facilitate earlier recognition of abnormal menstrual patterns and support informed health-seeking behaviors.