Knoweledge, Attitude and Practice among Women Toward Premenstrual Syndrome Attending Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Centers in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Research on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is generally lacking in the Gulf countries, a region with unique cultural features that might influence expectations and selfperception of the disease. Little, if any, is known about the knowledge and attitude among women in Taif toward PMS. The shortage of such data in the general female Saudi population, too, emphasizes this concept, and hence the need to research on it. Objectives: To study knowledge and attitude of woman attending PHCCs, MOH toward PMS as well as to identify factors affecting them. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted consists of Saudi female aged 13-50 years attending PHCCs, MOH in Taif. Taif city has 17 PHCCs affiliated to MOH, among which 8 centers were selected, using random number generator software program. The participants were selected using "systematic random sampling" technique. The spacing unit between sample fractions was 4, thus, every 4th patient was selected. An Arabic self-administered questionnaire was used. It consisted of four sections. The first section is on the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristic of the participants. The second section covered the medical and reproductive history. The third section addressed PMS diagnostic criteria, as developed by the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and the National Institute of Mental Health which. The fourth section of the questionnaire involved their knowledge about PMS. Results: The study included 249 females. Their age ranged between 13 and 50 years (mean 30.6±9.6 years). Almost onethird of the participants (33.7%) reported family history of PMS. The prevalence rate of PMS among them was 61.4%. Only 14.1% of women recognized correctly that PMS is a gynecological disease while 32.5% recognized that it necessitates medical consultation. When women asked if they were PMS patients, what they will do, 30.9% of them answered that they will use medical treatment, 22.1% will consult physician and 13.6% will use traditional therapy. Almost onequarter of them (23.3%) responded that they will do nothing. Most of participated women (76.7%) responded that they will benefit others. Conclusion: PMS is a common problem in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The number of women who will seek medical advice or treatment for premenstrual syndrome if they were PMS patients is not very promising since the disorders of the menstrual cycle, and its associated complications are taboo in Taif society.

Determinants of knowledge and perception about menopause among Saudi women: A cross-sectional study

“…It is identified by the absence of menstrual cycles for 12 consecutive months, with no discernible medical or physiological causes [ 13 , 15 ]. The typical duration of menopause among Saudi women is approximately 49 years [ 39 ]. Regarding the knowledge of the study population, the findings of this study demonstrated a good understanding of the onset of menopause among Saudi women (Item 2 and Table 2 ), menstruation disorders (Item 3 and Table 2 ), and the influence of genetic background on menopause (Item 4 and Table 2 ).…”

Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Providing Self-Care Recommendations for the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome

“…Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a recurrent luteal phase condition characterized by physical, psychological, and behavioral changes that impair daily activities [1]. Common psychological symptoms include changes in mood, irritation, and depression, and frequently reported physical symptoms include breast tenderness, bloating, and headache [2].…”