Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and its Consequences on School Attendance among High School Female Adolescent Students
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Date
2019-11
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation in the absence of pelvic pathology is the most common gynecological compliant among adolescence and young women. Its adverse consequence ranges from short term school absenteeism to family and personal disruption. Local studies especially among younger adolescent students exploring primary dysmenorrhea and its consequences on school attendance is scares. There for, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of primary dysmenorrheal and its consequences on school attendance.
Method: A Cross-sectional study was conducted from March,7 to 21,2019 among public secondary school students in Waliso town. Stratified random sampling technique was used to enroll 340 participants. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data was cleaned, coded and entered into Epi info 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and school absenteeism.
Results: Primary dysmenorrhea was reported by 247 (75.1%) of the participant. It was mild in 108(43.7%), moderate in 98(39.7%), and severe in 41(16.6%) of the respondents. It was accompanied by other symptoms like back pain 184 (55.9%), fatigue 159 (43.3%) and headache 63(19. 1%).Out of dysmenorric students 96(38.9%) of them reported consequent absence from school. Pearson Chi-square test showed statistically significant association between severity of primary dysmenorrhea and school activities. This was explained by school absence (X2df=2=17.9,p<0.001), loss of concentration (X IX 2 df=2=14.5, p<0.001), lack of focus on exam (X 2 df=2=11.4, p<0.001) and restriction of physical education. Primary dysmenorrhea was found to have relatively strong association with irregular menstrual cycle, shorter length of menstrual cycle and longer menstrual flow days. Only 7(2.8%)of the participants seek medical care.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Primary dysmenorrhea was found to be common problem among female adolescent students and had consequences on student school attendance and limited their daily school activities. Comprehensive school education program on menarche and menstrual problems may help girls to cope better with dysmenorrhea and appropriately seek medical assistance.
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Dysmenorrhea, Hool Female Adolescent Adolescent Students