Menstrual Abnormalities, Hematological Profiles, and Educational Impact Among Ghanaian Adolescents: A School-Based Study

Abstract Menstrual abnormalities in adolescents are linked to adverse haematological and psychosocial outcomes, yet data from low-resource settings like Ghana remain scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities, associated haematological profiles, and their impact on the health and social well-being of in-school adolescents in Sunyani West Municipality, Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study of 389 school-going adolescent girls (10–19 years) was conducted using: · Stratified random sampling for venous blood collection (pre- and post-menstrual). · Structured questionnaires to document menstrual patterns (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, etc.). · Full blood count (FBC) analysis (RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCHC, RDW-SD, NRBC) via standard laboratory methods. Data were analyzed using statistical software like SPSS, Excel, with significance set at p-value < 0.05. Results · 75.3% (293/389) reported abnormal menstruation with dysmenorrhea (71.7%) and prolonged bleeding (51.7%) most prevalent. · Haematological abnormalities: Significant variations (p < 0.05) in RBC, HGB, HCT, and MCV were observed in participants with menstrual irregularities vs. normal cycles. · Social impact: 68% of participants linked menstrual abnormalities to school absenteeism and impaired social interactions. Conclusions Menstrual abnormalities are highly prevalent among Ghanaian adolescents and correlate with haematological alterations (e.g., anaemia markers) and reduced well-being. Findings underscore the need for school-based health interventions integrating menstrual health education and routine haematological screening.