Prevalence of menstrual irregularity and associated factors among preparatory school girls in Adama Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
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Date
2021-08
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background:Menstrual irregularity is a common gynecological problem among reproductive age women affecting not only their social activities and school attendance but also families,social and national economy as well. This problem for female students in developing countries who may face life-threatening condition is considered as minor health concern. Inconsistent andinconclusive findings on menstrual irregularity and its associated factors were indicated. Moreover, data on magnitude and factors associated with menstrual irregularity is scarce in Ethiopia.
Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of menstrual irregularity and associated factors among preparatory school girls.
Methods:Institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 367 female students in five selected schools from Nov. 20 to Dec.10, 2020, in Adama Town of Oromia Regional State in Ethiopia. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select study participant from both public and private schools. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between menstrual irregularity and categorical variables.
Furthermore multivariable binary logistic regression was used to test the presence of association between Menstrual irregularity and all other independent variables like age at menarche, stress,BMI and sleep duration. Statistical significance was considered at P<0.05.
Results:The age of respondents ranges from 15 to 22 years with a mean and standard deviation of 18.18 ± 1.44. The average age (SD) at menarche was 13.16 ± 1.42. The prevalence of menstrual irregularity was 26.5% with 95% CI of (21.9%, 31.5%). Statistically significant association was observed between outcome variable (menstrual irregularity) and categorical explanatory variables, such as: BMI, in both teenager and young adult students, (X df = 3=19.73, p<0.001 and X2 df= 3= 8.5, p<0.05) respectively, ge at menarche, (X df = 2 = 11.9, p<0.05), sleep duration, (X2 df = 2 = 15.2, p<0.001), and stress (X22 df = 3 = 29.5, p<0.001).
2The most important factors statistically significantly associated with menstrual irregularity include, school type (AOR=2.01, 95%CI: 1.03,3.94), educational status of mother (primary education (AOR=0.14, 95%CI: 0.05,0.39) & secondary education (AOR=0.37, 95%CI: 0.14,0.99), early age at menarche (AOR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.03,3.69), short period (AOR=3.34,95%CI: 1.56,7.16), long period (AOR=4.23, 95%CI: 1.48,12.03), scanty period (AOR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.18,0.65), sleeping <7hr (AOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.14,4.18), and stress (moderate stress, AOR=4.1, 95%CI: 1.64,10.04), severe/extremely severe stress (AOR=4.62, 95%CI: 1.57,13.56).
Conclusion:The prevalence of menstrual irregularity among preparatory school girls in Adama Town was found to be high compared with studies conducted in different parts of theworld. Menstrual irregularity was more common with private school students, early age at menarche, short and long duration of menstrual flow, sleeping less tha seven hour per day, having moderate, severe or extremely severe level of stress and being overweight or obesed.
Whereas having mother followed primary and secondary level of education and having scanty amount of menstrual flow were found to be protective factors for the occurrence of menstrual irregularity.
Recommendation:It should be recommended to create awareness and provide heath education to the students regarding mensturation, what regular and irregular menstrual cycle means and the factors that leads to menstrual irregularity.
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Keywords
Menstrual irregularity