Abstract:
Adolescence is a process – a series of varied, rapid and ex-
tensive changes as well as period of life. The timing of maturational
events varied within healthy children primarily because of genetic fac-
tors. Even among healthy youth, there is marked variation in the timing
of these maturational changes.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in slum
areas adopted under Urban health Training Centre of Department of
Community Medicine, KIMSU, Karad. Maharashtra from November
2007 to October 2009, Adolescent girls between 10 to 19 years who were
residents of the area adopted for at least five years before inception of
study were included. There were 251 adolescent girls of which 200
formed the study group. The study participants were interviewed and
examined by house to house survey using pretested structured question-
naire with prior informed consent of parent. Sexual maturity was as-
sessed using Tanner’s Sexual Maturity Score. Analysis was done using
SPSS 16 software
Results: In present study mean age at commencement of breast, pubic
hair, axillary hair and mean age at menarche have been 10.4±0.6, 10.6
±0.7, 12.2 ±0.7 and13.4 ±1.34years respectively. Breast stage appears earli-
er than the pubic stage. Time period required for full breast and pubic
hair development was 7.3 years and 7.9 years respectively.
Conclusion: Timing of sexual maturity indicators could be useful for
giving health education regarding hygiene during menstruation and
family life education.
