THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND READINESS TO FACE MENARCHE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOLL STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 – 6 IN THE NEGLA VILLAGE BREBES

Menarche is the first menstruation, which usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 16 years or
during early adolescence. Menarche is one of the most important events for an adolescent girl, as
it indicates that the fertile cycle has begun, she is healthy and not pregnant, and it symbolizes the
transition period from childhood to adulthood. It also marks the beginning of other changes such
as breast development, the growth of pubic and axillary hair, and fat distribution around the hips.
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between knowledge and readiness to face
menarche among fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school girls in Negla Village.

This research uses a quantitative approach with an analytical correlational method and a cross-
sectional research design. The population in this study consisted of 38 fifth- and sixth-grade

elementary school girls in Negla Village, with the sample taken using a total sampling technique.
The instrument used was an observation sheet to assess knowledge and readiness for menarche,
and the data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test.
The univariate analysis showed that most respondents had good knowledge (29 students, 76.3%),
moderate knowledge (7 students, 18.4%), and poor knowledge (2 students, 5.3%). Regarding
readiness, most respondents were categorized as ready (37 students, 97.4%) and only 1
respondent (2.6%) was categorized as not ready. The bivariate analysis showed that the
significance value was 0.039, which is smaller than 0.05 (0.039 < 0.05). Therefore, Ho is rejected
and Ha is accepted. This means that there is a significant relationship between knowledge and
readiness to face menarche among elementary school girls.