Dysmenorrhoea among students aged 18–45 years attending University in Uganda: A cross‐sectional multicenter study of three Universities in Uganda

Abstract

Aim Dysmenorrhoea presents as pain associated with menstruation. It is often an issue discussed privately, yet it continues to affect girls and women with grave impact on their education, social activities and work. This study sought to assess the factors associated with dysmenorrhoea among female students aged 18–45 years in three selected universities in Kampala Capital city, Uganda. Design and Methods The study was a cross‐sectional study conducted among 351 female students of three Universities in Kampala, Uganda. Purposive sampling methods were used. A self‐administered questionnaire was used for data collection, a 95% confidence interval was considered and analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results Respondents ( N = 351) fully completed the study out of 383 invited participants. The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 75.8%. Associated factors included having children ( p < 0.05), daily consumption of sugary foods ( p < 0.05) and family history of dysmenorrhoea ( p < 0.01). Conclusion As nursing professionals, we believe comfort is a fundamental determinant of health. Therefore, evidence suggesting a high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea as revealed in this study is concerning. We recommend schools to have school clinics and school nurses who could help students during such days of discomfort. Further studies assessing the casual relationships of various correlates to dysmenorrhoea and the impact of dysmenorrhoea specifically on academic life of the students should be conducted.

Correlates of premenstrual dysphoric disorder among female university students

“…The findings regarding dysmenorrhea are interesting because while congestive dysmenorrhea was associated with PMDD, spasmodic dysmenorrhea was not. We assessed dysmenorrhea using a validated measure and thus improved on the methodology used in previous studies among university students (Al-Jefout et al, 2015;Nakame et al, 2018;Yacubovich et al, 2019). Moreover, these studies did not differentiate between spasmodic and congestive dysmenorrhea.…”

“…The prevalence of dysmenorrhea among university students is high. Research assessing the prevalence of these symptoms among university students in Uganda, Israel and Spain report prevalence rates ranging between 76% and 86% (Fernandez-Martinez et al, 2018;Nakame et al, 2018;Yacubovich et al, 2019).…”

Getting Rid of “Bomb Pushing the Womb”: Dysmenorrhea Management-Mini Review

“…The prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies from 50% to 90% globally. Nakame et al [4] reported a range of more than 50% to 85% in Europe and America for the same and 60% to 85% in Asia [4]. Approximately 75% of people experience PMS, as reported by Wilbur et al [5], which includes emotional and physical symptoms that occur between one and two weeks before menstruation [5].…”

Hubungan Indeks Massa Tubuh Dengan Dismenorea

“…Status gizi baik pada remaja dapat diperoleh dengan konsumsi gizi seimbang sesuai kebutuhan pada masa remaja (Fairuz, 2010). Faktor lain yang berhubungan dengan dismenorea menurut penelitian lain adalah riwayat dismenorea dari ibu dan saudara perempuan, pre menstruasi syndrome (PMS), usia menarche, stress, latihan fisik (Barcikowska, 2020), keteraturan siklus menstruasi, pendidikan ibu (Helwa, 2018) sedangkan beberapa hal yang mempengaruhi status gizi selain IMT yang berhubungan dengan kejadian dismenorea meliputi konsumsi harian makanan manis (Nakame, 2019), sarapan pagi (Helwa, 2018), minum kopi mingguan (Al Matouq,2019) merokok, alcohol (Ju, 2015).…”