{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,19]],"date-time":"2026-08-19T19:43:46Z","timestamp":1787168626948,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,28]],"date-time":"2024-12-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1735344000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medicina"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) define abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) as \u201cbleeding from the uterus that is abnormal in regularity, volume, frequency, or duration and occurs in the absence of pregnancy\u201d. The impact of AUB on the physical and psychosocial well-being of adolescent girls can be significant. In this study, we aim to investigate the menstrual cycle characteristics in adolescent Sudanese schoolgirls and the prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and its associated factors. Materials and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Almatamah locality, Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and menstrual cycle parameters. Weight and height were measured, body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and hemoglobin levels were determined. Logistic regression was also performed. Results: Of the 162 girls in the study, 27.2% had frequent cycles, 3.7% had infrequent cycles, 2.5% had prolonged menses duration, 44.4% had irregular cycles, and 21.0% had heavy menstrual bleeding. The overall prevalence of AUB in the study was 64.8%. None of the investigated factors (chronological age, maternal education or occupation, gynecological age, BMI, and hemoglobin level) were associated with AUB. Conclusions: In conclusion, the prevalence of AUB was high among the study participants, with irregular cycles, frequent cycles, and heavy menstrual bleeding being the most common types.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina61010033","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,31]],"date-time":"2024-12-31T12:37:19Z","timestamp":1735648639000},"page":"33","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Among Rural Adolescent Schoolgirls: A Cross-Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"61","author":[{"given":"Yasir","family":"Salih","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 102, Khartoum 11111, Sudan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ghaday S.","family":"Almutairi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Norah H.","family":"Alhumaidi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0797-3759","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nadiah","family":"Alhabardi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5031-7741","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ishag","family":"Adam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"393","DOI":"10.1002\/ijgo.12666","article-title":"The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions","volume":"143","author":"Munro","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Gynecol. Obstet."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2013). Committee opinion no. 557: Management of acute abnormal uterine bleeding in nonpregnant reproductive-aged women. Obstet. Gynecol., 121, 891\u2013896.","DOI":"10.1097\/01.AOG.0000428646.67925.9a"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mittiku, Y.M., Mekonen, H., Wogie, G., Tizazu, M.A., and Wake, G.E. (2022). Menstrual irregularity and its associated factors among college students in Ethiopia, 2021. Front. Glob. Women\u2019s Health, 3.","DOI":"10.3389\/fgwh.2022.917643"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Demeke, E., Zeru, A.B., Tesfahun, E., and Mohammed, W.B. (2023). Effect of menstrual irregularity on academic performance of undergraduate students of Debre Berhan University: A comparative cross sectional study. PLoS ONE, 18.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0280356"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1186\/s12978-021-01156-1","article-title":"Magnitude and associated factors of menstrual irregularity among undergraduate students of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia","volume":"18","author":"Zeru","year":"2021","journal-title":"Reprod. Health"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"615","DOI":"10.1097\/AOG.0000000000003693","article-title":"Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in the Adolescent","volume":"135","author":"Hernandez","year":"2020","journal-title":"Obstet. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2012). Practice Bulletin No. 128: Diagnosis of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Reproductive-Aged Women. Obstet. Gynecol., 120, 197\u2013206.","DOI":"10.1097\/AOG.0b013e318262e320"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4274\/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.S0200","article-title":"Approach to abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents","volume":"12","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clin. Res. Pediatr. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"618","article-title":"Differential diagnosis and management of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescence","volume":"69","author":"Motta","year":"2017","journal-title":"Minerva Ginecol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"48","DOI":"10.1186\/s12978-020-0896-1","article-title":"Menstrual health management and schooling experience amongst female learners in Gauteng, South Africa: A mixed method study","volume":"17","author":"Crankshaw","year":"2020","journal-title":"Reprod. Health"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.4102\/curationis.v38i1.1551","article-title":"Menstrual knowledge and practices of female adolescents in Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa","volume":"38","author":"Ramathuba","year":"2015","journal-title":"Curationis"},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"UNESCO (2014). Puberty Education and Mentsrual Hygiene Management. Lancet, 1, 1330\u20131331."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.4274\/jcrpe.0014","article-title":"Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescents","volume":"10","author":"Aycan","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Clin. Res. Pediatr. Endocrinol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"413","DOI":"10.1097\/MOP.0000000000000121","article-title":"What to do when she\u2019s bleeding through: The recognition, evaluation, and management of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents","volume":"26","author":"Bennett","year":"2014","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"1525","article-title":"Systematic Review on Prevalence of Menstrual Disorders Among Women","volume":"12","author":"Sani","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Recent Sci. Res."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"246","DOI":"10.11604\/pamj.2014.17.246.2230","article-title":"Menstrual problems and associated factors among students of Bahir Dar University, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey","volume":"17","author":"Shiferaw","year":"2014","journal-title":"Pan Afr. Med. J."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"48","article-title":"The Relationship between Menstrual Cycle Irregularity and Body Mass Index among Secondary Schools Pupils","volume":"5","author":"Hossam","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Nurs. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abdelmoty, H.I., Youssef, M.A., abdallah, S., Abdel-Malak, K., Hashish, N.M., Samir, D., Abdelbar, M., Hosni, A.N., Abd-El Ghafar, M., and Khamis, Y. (2015). Menstrual patterns and disorders among secondary school adolescents in Egypt. A cross-sectional survey. BMC Womens. Health, 15.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-015-0228-8"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1031","DOI":"10.53350\/pjmhs221661031","article-title":"Menstrual Pattern and Common Menstrual Disorders among Adolescent Girls","volume":"16","author":"Abbasi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Pak. J. Med. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sharma, S., Deuja, S., and Saha, C.G. (2016). Menstrual pattern among adolescent girls of Pokhara Valley: A cross sectional study. BMC Women. Health, 16.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12905-016-0354-y"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"365","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpag.2009.02.005","article-title":"Questionnaire Study on Menstrual Disorders in Adolescent Girls in Singapore","volume":"22","author":"Agarwal","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2020494","DOI":"10.1590\/1984-0462\/2022\/40\/2020494","article-title":"Menstrual cycle among adolescents: Girls\u2019 awareness and influence of age at menarche and overweight","volume":"40","author":"Marques","year":"2022","journal-title":"Rev. Paul. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"148","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpag.2012.12.001","article-title":"Menstruation Disturbances: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Effects on the Activities of Daily Living among Adolescent Girls from Brazil","volume":"26","author":"Pitangui","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.5455\/msm.2011.23.195-199","article-title":"Influence of Socioeconomic Status in the Age at the of Menarche and Duration of Menstrual Bleeding","volume":"23","author":"Saeed","year":"2011","journal-title":"Mater. Sociomed."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ghandour, R., Stigum, H., Giacaman, R., Fjeld, H., and Holmboe-Ottesen, G. (2023). Menstrual characteristics and dysmenorrhea among Palestinian adolescent refugee camp dwellers in the West Bank and Jordan: A cross-sectional study, preprint.","DOI":"10.54985\/peeref.2306p4450814"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"486","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mefs.2018.01.007","article-title":"Prevalence and patterns of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among Egyptian girls (12\u201325 years)","volume":"23","author":"Arafa","year":"2018","journal-title":"Middle East Fertil. Soc. J."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101","DOI":"10.1515\/ijamh-2013-0500","article-title":"Prevalence of menstrual disorders among adolescent girls in Osogbo, South Western Nigeria","volume":"26","author":"Amu","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zegeye, D.T., Megabiaw, B., and Mulu, A. (2009). Age at menarche and the menstrual pattern of secondary school adolescents in northwest Ethiopia. BMC Womens. Health, 9.","DOI":"10.1186\/1472-6874-9-29"},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"199","article-title":"Menstrual Disorders Among Nursing Students at Al Neelain University, Khartoum State","volume":"15","author":"Adam","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sudan J. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.3329\/ajmbr.v4i3.38464","article-title":"Study on relationship between obesity and menstrual disorders","volume":"4","author":"Sen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Asian J. Med. Biol. Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajog.2023.01.017","article-title":"The relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia","volume":"229","author":"Munro","year":"2023","journal-title":"Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1002\/ijgo.14950","article-title":"Overview of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women and girls of reproductive age","volume":"162","author":"Derman","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Gynecol. Obstet."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"e30360","article-title":"The Role of Mother in Informing Girls About Puberty: A Meta-Analysis Study","volume":"5","author":"Sooki","year":"2016","journal-title":"Nurs. Midwifery Stud."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"20150043","article-title":"The effects of educating mothers and girls on the girls\u2019 attitudes toward puberty health: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"29","author":"Afsari","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health"}],"container-title":["Medicina"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/61\/1\/33\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T16:55:38Z","timestamp":1760115338000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/61\/1\/33"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,28]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1]]}},"alternative-id":["medicina61010033"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/medicina61010033","relation":{},"ISSN":["1648-9144"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1648-9144","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,28]]}}}