| Analysis of Menarche Experience and Raising of the Need of Menarche Education |
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Jeong Eun Kim |
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Reserch Insitute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea |
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| Abstract |
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The purpose of this study was to develop concrete and in-depth knowledge about menarche and to raise the need of menstrual education. The data were collected from purposively sample 34 women from twenties to forties from April 27 to October 10, 1994. Semi-structured intensive interviews were done and these qualitative data were analysed with "Ethnograph" computer program.
The results of the study were as follows : 1. The experience of menarche could be classified into two main groups, which were positive and negative response to menarche. The negative experiences were to be shameful, tearful, scared of the phenomena and thought as a kind of punishment for guilt or confused menarche with other symptoms of diseases. On the contrary, the positive experiences were to be proud of physical maturity and to think that is was wonderful, miraculous and to perceive it as a warm experience.
2. The experience of menarche was influenced by various factors. They were the knowledge about menstruation, the quality and amount of informations, the time of menarche, the environmental factors, the response of significant others toward menarche. The experience of menarche could be positive or negative according to these factors.
3. The previous information sources about menstruation could be significant others, school education and mass-media. The significant others were mothers, sisters, friends and the person in charge of school sex education such as school nurses, home economics, military drill and athletics of teachers. And mass-media included sex education booklets, nursery tales, TV programs, and publicity activities of sanitary napkin companies.
4. The opinions of the subjects about the proper time of menarcheal education could be grossly classified into two groups. The first was active approach toward children when they were in elementary school. The second was passive approach which postponed the time until the child ask about it, because it would be awkward for them to discuss about the topic.
5. The participants thought that the ideal methods of menarche education would be systematic school education programs, open discussion with daughters, audio-visual teachings, or practical education in everyday life.
6. The contents of the menarche education based on the participants' opinions, would be positive details about meanings and functions of menstruation. And it would be desirable if the attitudes of the person in charge of education could be positive, open-hearted, and favorable toward menstruation. |
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