Table 2. Reproductive characteristics of secondary school girls in Luang Prabang Province (N = 1,366).
| Variables | Categories | n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Age of menarche | ||
| < 13 years old | 467 (34.2) | |
| 13 years old | 477 (34.9) | |
| > 13 years old | 422 (30.9) | |
| Feeling shock and/or ashamed at the menarche | ||
| Yes | 883 (64.6) | |
| No | 483 (35.4) | |
| Duration of menstruation | ||
| 1–2 days | 8 (0.6) | |
| 3–7 days | 1330 (97.4) | |
| ≥ 8 days | 28 (2.0) | |
| Regularity of menstruation | ||
| Yes | 984 (72.0) | |
| No | 382 (28.0) | |
| Dysmenorrhea | ||
| Yes | 1215 (88.9) | |
| No | 151 (11.1) | |
| Dysmenorrhea management | ||
| Lay on stomach | 254 (18.6) | |
| Painkillers | 221 (16.2) | |
| Drink hot water | 573 (41.9) | |
| Othersa | 76 (5.6) | |
| Nothing, because it is not so painful | 91 (6.7) | |
| Source of menstrual information before menarche attainment | ||
| None | 385 (28.2) | |
| Mother | 640 (46.9) | |
| Sister | 188 (13.8) | |
| Teacher | 67 (4.9) | |
| Friend | 62 (4.5) | |
| Othersb | 24 (1.8) | |
aOthers include traditional medicine, hot pack on stomach, and/or one or more methods combined.
bOthers include reading books and searching the Internet.