Mental and Reproductive Health Correlates of Academic Performance among Debre Berhan University Female Students, Ethiopia: The Case of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Abstract

Background Globally 3 to 8% of reproductive age women are suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Several mental and reproductive health-related factors cause low academic achievement during university education. However, limited data exist in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to investigate mental and reproductive health correlates of academic performance. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted with 667 Debre Berhan University female students from April to June 2015. Academic performance was the outcome variable. Mental and reproductive health characteristics were explanatory variables. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test of association was applied to examine group difference in academic performance. Result Among 529 students who participated, 49.3% reported mild premenstrual syndrome (PMS), 36.9% reported moderate/severe PMS, and 13.8% fulfilled PMDD diagnostic criteria. The ANOVA test of association revealed that there was no significant difference in academic performance between students with different level of PMS experience (F-statistic = 0.08, p value = 0.93). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in academic performance between students with different length of menses (F-statistic = 5.15, p value = 0.006). Conclusion There was no significant association between PMS experience and academic performance, but on the other hand, the length of menses significantly associated with academic performance.

Magnitude of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and its correlation with academic performance among female medical and health science students at University of Gondar, Ethiopia, 2019: a cross-sectional study

“…In the current study, the most commonly reported symptoms were lethargy; easily fatigability or marked lack of energy (63.5%); decreased interest in usual activities (58.5%); and physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, and a sensation of ‘bloating’ and weight gain (56.5%). It was consistent with the study findings indicated in Mekelle University, Ethiopia, 12 31 44 and in Iran 42 and India. 45 Sense of being overwhelmed or out of control 17.1%, marked depressed mood, feeling of hopelessness or self-deprecating thoughts 27.2% were the least prevalent symptoms.…”

“…The possible variation for this difference could be due to tool difference (Premenstrual Assessment Scale (PAS)), sample size (1379), socio-cultural, sampling technique and being young, as the contribution of mixed psychobiological signs and symptoms of premenstrual problem in Iran. On the other hand, the magnitude of PMDD in this study was higher than the studies conducted in other areas of Ethiopia at 13.8%, 12 26.8% 13 and 27%; 44 Jordan 7.7%; 36 and India 3.7% and 12.22%. 45 46 In the studies conducted in the other areas of Ethiopia, the prevalence of PMDD was lower than the current study.…”

“… 11 The studies conducted in other universities of Ethiopia showed that the prevalence of PMDD ranged from 13.8% to 66.9% among medical and health science students. 12–14 …”

Prevalence and associated factors of premenstrual syndrome among women of the reproductive age group in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All studies included in this analysis were conducted using a cross-sectional study design [7,8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. For eight of these studies, the premenstrual syndrome scoring tool of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed (DMS IV) was used while the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) was used for the remaining one study [7].…”

“…A wide range of prevalence rates was reported in the nine studies [7,8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The lowest prevalence of PMS, 27.00% (95% CI: 21.41, 32.59) was reported in a study among Jimma University female students [16].…”