Age and anthropometric status of Nigerian girls at puberty: implication for the introduction of sex education into secondary schools

Abstract

Age, height and weight at various stages of pubertal development were assessed in a cross-sectional survey of 1054 schoolgirls living in Ilorin, Nigeria. The first sign of puberty; breast bud and pubic hair development appeared at mean age (year) 12.7 +/- 1.0 and 12.8 +/- 0.9 respectively, and reached full maturational stage at mean age (year) 14.7 +/- 1.3 and 14.4 +/- 1.4 respectively. The mean age, height and weight at which the intermediate stages are reached were given. Cumulative proportion of girls that have attained menarche at each pubertal stage were derived. Median age of menarche calculated by status quo method was 13.6 years. In general, about 50% of girls in each stage of pubic hair development were at corresponding stage of breast development. Only about 75% of girls have full axillary hair growth at Tanner stage--5 of breast and pubic hair development, Longitudinal data to assess growth spurt and peak height velocity are suggested. Introduction of sex education into secondary school classes represented by the pubertal age group is advocated.