Researchers in Ghana measured three important sex hormones in 116 teenage girls from two different regions to see if where they live and their parents’ education level affected their hormone levels. They found that girls in Northern Ghana had slightly higher progesterone levels than girls in the South, and that a mother’s education level seemed to influence some hormone levels. This research helps doctors and schools better understand how environment and family background might affect the hormonal changes that happen during puberty, which is important for teen health and development.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the region where teenage girls live in Ghana and their parents’ education level affect the amounts of three important hormones in their blood during puberty
  • Who participated: 116 girls aged 10-19 years old who attended school in two different areas of Ghana—one in the North and one in the South—studied between June and October 2022
  • Key finding: Girls from Northern Ghana had higher levels of progesterone (a hormone important for reproduction) compared to girls from Southern Ghana. Additionally, when mothers had less education, their daughters tended to have higher levels of androgen and estrogen (other important puberty hormones)
  • What it means for you: Where you live and your family’s educational background may play a role in how your body produces hormones during puberty. This information could help schools and doctors provide better health education and support tailored to different communities, though more research is needed to understand why these differences exist

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by measuring hormone levels in girls from two different regions of Ghana simultaneously. The girls were between 10-19 years old and attended school. Researchers collected blood samples from 116 girls and used a laboratory test called ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) to measure three key hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and androgen. They also gathered information about each girl’s family background, including her parents’ education level and employment status, to see if these factors were connected to hormone levels.

Understanding how environment and family background influence hormone development during puberty is important because these hormones affect growth, mood, behavior, and reproductive health. By studying girls in different regions with different family backgrounds, researchers can identify whether health interventions need to be customized for different communities. This approach helps schools and health programs create better education and support for teenage girls.

This study has some strengths: it measured actual hormone levels using a reliable laboratory test, included girls from two different regions for comparison, and collected information about family background. However, the study was relatively small (116 girls) and only looked at two regions in Ghana, so the findings may not apply to all teenage girls everywhere. The study was observational, meaning researchers observed what was already happening rather than testing a specific treatment, so they can identify patterns but not prove that one thing directly causes another.

What the Results Show

The study found that progesterone levels were noticeably different between the two regions. Girls in Northern Ghana had an average progesterone level of 53.3 ng/ml, while girls in Southern Ghana had an average of 43.0 ng/ml—this difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance. In contrast, estrogen and androgen levels were very similar between the two regions, with no meaningful differences. The average estrogen level across all girls was 195.5 pg/ml, and the average androgen level was 60.7 pg/ml. These hormones naturally vary quite a bit from girl to girl, which is why the researchers reported a wide range of values.

When researchers looked at parents’ education level, they discovered important patterns. In Northern Ghana, girls whose mothers had no formal education had significantly higher androgen and estrogen levels compared to girls in the South whose mothers had no education. However, girls whose fathers had more education tended to have higher progesterone levels overall. Interestingly, whether parents had jobs or not didn’t seem to affect hormone levels in either region. These findings suggest that maternal education in particular may be connected to how girls’ bodies produce certain hormones.

Previous research has shown that diet, healthcare access, and genetics all influence hormone levels during puberty. This study adds new information by showing that geographic location and parental education may also play a role. The findings align with other research suggesting that socioeconomic factors (like education level) can influence health outcomes in adolescents. However, this is one of the first studies to specifically examine these factors in African adolescent girls, so it provides valuable new information for this population.

The study only included 116 girls from two regions in Ghana, so the results may not apply to all teenage girls in Ghana or other countries. The researchers measured hormones at only one point in time, so they couldn’t track how hormone levels change over months or years. The study couldn’t prove that parents’ education directly causes hormone differences—it only showed that these factors are connected. Additionally, the researchers didn’t measure other important factors that might affect hormones, such as nutrition, physical activity, stress levels, or access to healthcare, which could explain some of the differences they found.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, schools and health programs in Ghana should consider developing health education about puberty and hormones that takes into account regional differences and family background. However, these findings are preliminary and should not be used to make individual health decisions without consulting a doctor. More research is needed to understand why these differences exist and whether they have any health consequences. If you’re a teenage girl concerned about your hormone levels or development, talk to a school nurse or doctor rather than relying solely on this research.

This research is most relevant to health educators, school nurses, and public health officials in Ghana who design programs for teenage girls. It may also interest parents and girls themselves who want to understand factors that influence puberty. However, the findings are specific to Ghana and may not apply to girls in other countries with different environments and healthcare systems. Individual girls should not assume their hormone levels are abnormal based on this study—hormone levels naturally vary widely, and only a doctor can determine if levels are concerning.

This study provides a snapshot of hormone levels at one moment in time, so it doesn’t tell us how quickly hormones change or how long it takes to see health effects. Hormonal changes during puberty typically happen gradually over several years. If changes are made to health education or healthcare based on this research, it would likely take months to years to see impacts on girls’ health and well-being.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your menstrual cycle (if you’ve started your period) by recording the first day of your period each month and noting any symptoms like cramps, mood changes, or energy levels. This helps you understand your own hormone patterns over time and can be useful information to share with a doctor.
  • Use the app to set reminders for health education topics related to puberty and reproductive health. You could also use it to track questions you want to ask a school nurse or doctor about your development, ensuring you remember to discuss your concerns at your next appointment.
  • Over several months, use the app to record patterns in your physical symptoms (energy level, mood, skin changes) alongside your menstrual cycle. This long-term tracking helps you understand your body’s natural rhythms and can help you identify if anything seems unusual that you should discuss with a healthcare provider.

This research provides general information about hormone levels in teenage girls in Ghana and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Hormone levels vary naturally from person to person, and only a qualified healthcare provider can determine if your hormone levels are normal or if you need medical attention. If you have concerns about your development, menstrual cycle, or any symptoms related to puberty, please consult with a school nurse, doctor, or other qualified healthcare professional. This study was conducted in Ghana and may not apply to all populations. Always seek professional medical advice before making any health-related decisions.