Chang Yu-Ting, Chen Yueh-Chih, Hayter Mark, Lin Mei-Ling
Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Technology, Hualien, Taiwan.
J Clin Nurs. 2009 Jul;18(14):2040-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02545.x. Epub 2009 Jan 15.
This study aimed to explore the menarche and menstruation experiences of young females aged 10-12 years in elementary education in Taiwan.
Menarche is a significant milestone in a woman's life and for female adolescents it is a sharply defined biological event that can be a traumatic and uncomfortable time. If used, school nurses can make a significant contribution in educating young people and help to ameliorate these problems. Understanding how young women feel about menstruation is a central element to sexual health education practice.
A qualitative research design was employed using focus groups.
Data were collected from 20 female students, aged between 10-12 years. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and subject to a thematic analysis.
Three themes emerged from the data analysis reflecting the menstrual experience of participants. These were: 'Changing bodies: the physical effects of menarche and menstruation', 'Emotional issues: the psychological impact of menarche and menstruation' and 'Social dimensions of the menarche and menstruation'.
Our findings show that young females can experience significant physical and emotional difficulties around menstruation - many of which stem from poor information and the reactions of their peer group to menstrual activity. The potential for school nurses to contribute to this education is significant and schools should explore the manner in which nurses can contribute to this area of health education.
Nurses involved in health education work with young people and ensure that menstruation education addresses the social and psychological impact of the menarche as well as the physical elements of menstruation. Boys should not be absent from this education and the impact of their attitudes towards menstruation upon their female peers should be addressed in health education work.
本研究旨在探索台湾小学教育阶段10至12岁年轻女性的初潮及月经经历。
初潮是女性生命中的一个重要里程碑，对于青春期女性而言，这是一个明确界定的生理事件，可能是一段痛苦且不适的时期。若能发挥作用，学校护士在教育年轻人方面可做出重大贡献，并有助于缓解这些问题。了解年轻女性对月经的感受是性健康教育实践的核心要素。
采用焦点小组的定性研究设计。
收集了20名年龄在10至12岁之间的女学生的数据。焦点小组讨论进行了录音、转录并进行了主题分析。
数据分析得出三个主题，反映了参与者的月经经历。这些主题分别是：“身体变化：初潮和月经的生理影响”、“情感问题：初潮和月经的心理影响”以及“初潮和月经的社会层面”。
我们的研究结果表明，年轻女性在月经期间可能会经历重大的身体和情感困难——其中许多源于信息匮乏以及同伴群体对月经活动的反应。学校护士在这一教育领域的潜在贡献巨大，学校应探索护士能够在这一健康教育领域做出贡献的方式。
参与健康教育工作的护士要与年轻人合作，确保月经教育既能解决初潮的社会和心理影响，又能涵盖月经的生理因素。男孩也不应被排除在这种教育之外，在健康教育工作中应探讨他们对月经的态度对其女性同伴的影响。
