Self-medication Practice in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Chaurasia, Lokeshwar; Shah, Laxmi; Paudel, Gita; Sarraf, Deependra Prasad; Shah, Poonam; Singh, Jitendra Kumar

doi:10.3126/mjmms.v1i1.42951

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…But our finding indicated that majority (78.57%) of students used to take these medications when pain started indicating the need for professional consultation. Mefenamic acid was the most common used analgesic by the majority of the students (90.48%) for dysmenorrhea and this finding was similar to the report of Chaurasia et al 30 In contrast to this, mefenemic acid+dicyclomine (67.4%) was the most common used analgesic by the students in a study by Jayanthi et al 36 More than one-third of the students (30.95%) were not able to mention the correct dose of the analgesic drug they were using and majority of them (90.48%) were also not able to mention the correct frequency of the drug intake. This unsafe practice of self-medication might have serious implications including harm to themselves and a constant risk of medication error.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In contrast to this, lower percentage of the students practiced self-medication in other studies. 9,29,30 Fatima et al had reported a high prevalence (62.98%) of self-medication in dysmenorrhea. 31 These difference might be due to difference in knowledge level of analgesics, availability of drugs and extent of perceived difficulty of painful menses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pattern of Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students at a Nursing College in Eastern Nepal

Sarraf

Karn

Singh

2022

Nep. J. Health Sci.

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Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) leads to college absenteeism, interference with daily living activities and higher intake of medications without consulting a physician and/or without a valid prescription. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of PD, to know the pattern of self-medication in dysmenorrhea and to know the impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance among undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate nursing students at a nursing college in Eastern Nepal using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, the impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and self-medication practices. A visual analogue scale was used to assess the severity of dysmenorrhea. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings. Results: A total of 125 students participated in the study out of which 64 (51.20%) were 21-24 years old. Eighty-four (67.20%) students had PD that had affected academic performance negatively in 81 (96.43%) students. Fifty six (66.67%) students had a lack of concentration during study hours due to dysmenorrhea. A total of 42 (50.00%) students practiced self-medication for relieving the pain during dysmenorrhea. Mefenamic acid (90.48%) was the most commonly used analgesic. Only 29 (69.05%) students were able to mention the correct dose of the analgesic drug they take and 38 (90.48%) students were not able to mention the correct frequency of the drug intake they were taking during dysmenorrhea. Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea was highly prevalent among nursing students and had affected their academic performance negatively. The self-medication practices were not appropriate in a significant proportion of the students.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pattern of Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students at a Nursing College in Eastern Nepal

Sarraf

Karn

Singh

2022

Nep. J. Health Sci.

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“…These percentages differ from Chaurasia et al study, where self-medication was observed in 35.20% and only 4.70% took prescribed medicines. 18 These differences in percentages suggest potential variations in cultural or demographic factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviours for menstrual pain. Further research is needed to understand these differences and develop targeted interventions for menstrual pain and healthcare-seeking behaviours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding menstrual health and related health-seeking behavior in adolescent girls at a tribal welfare school in Vikarabad: a cross-sectional analysis

Lakkakula,

A. Y.,

Kumar

et al. 2023

Int J Community Med Public Health

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Background: Adolescent girls often lack adequate knowledge and comfort when accessing reproductive health care and information. A woman’s health at different stages in her life is interconnected, such that the state of her menstrual health at present can influence her reproductive, sexual, and maternal health in the future. Therefore, possessing adequate understanding and awareness regarding menstruation and recognizing the significance of seeking healthcare will help in managing menstruation hygienically and with dignity. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tribal welfare residential school in a rural setting among female adolescent girls in classes 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, during September 2022 for 10 days, with objectives to assess knowledge about menstruation and to determine the health-seeking behaviour for menstrual health among them. Results: In our study of 73 adolescent tribal girls (mean age: 13.86±1.33), 73.9% had a high knowledge level about menstruation. Self-medication was reported by 26%, while only 9.6% consulted a doctor. Higher menstrual pain was linked to a 3.25 times higher likelihood of consulting a doctor and a 5.5 times higher likelihood of self-medication. Conclusions: While a majority of tribal adolescent girls demonstrated a good level of knowledge regarding menstruation, only 9.6% of them sought medical consultation from a doctor. A comprehensive approach that combines health education, challenging cultural taboos, and improving access to healthcare services is necessary to promote better healthcare-seeking behaviour among adolescent girls regarding menstruation.

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“…Dysmenorrhea accounts for an estimated 140 million missed work or school days each year. As a result, home remedies and self-medication with NSAIDs, naproxen sodium, and mefenamic acid are the most common methods used by women to alleviate menstrual discomfort [3][4][5]. Te American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defnes dysmenorrhea as the "pain associated with menstruation."…”

Section: Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, Management, and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Lives of Nurse and Midwife Trainees in Northern Ghana

Wuni,

Abena Nyarko,

Mohammed Ibrahim

et al. 2023

Obstetrics and Gynecology International

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Background. Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological problem affecting the majority of female students in the nursing profession today. They often experience severe pain that is not only incapacitating but also has a significant impact on their day-to-day college life, academic, and clinical performance. Aim. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, management, and impact of dysmenorrhea on the lives of nurse and midwife trainees in northern Ghana. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach to data collection was employed to collect data from nurse and midwife trainees in three colleges of nursing and/or midwifery in the northern region of Ghana. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit 303 respondents for the study. After gaining permission from various institutions, data were collected by using a structured questionnaire from 13th September to 28th October, 2022. Stata (special edition) for Windows version 17.0 was used for the statistical analyses. Results. The study revealed a high prevalence of dysmenorrhea among female nursing students (66.7% and 95% CI: 0.611–0.720). More than half of the respondents (67.3%) experienced loss of appetite for food. The most common site of most intense pain was the pelvis and lower abdomen (98.0%). A greater proportion of students (65.8%) used antispastic drugs to reduce pain. The respondents’ concentration in the classroom was greatly affected (77.2%) as well as normal physical activities (58.4%). A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of dysmenorrhea are 2.67 times higher when the duration of menstruation is 4-5 days (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.13–6.28, and p = 0.024) than a duration of 1–3 days. Having urinary tract infections was associated with 3.56 times higher odds of dysmenorrhea (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI = 0.98–12.86, and p = 0.053). Again, the odds of dysmenorrhea were also four times higher among respondents with a family history of the same condition (AOR = 4.05, 95% CI = 2.16–7.61, and p = 0.001). Conclusion. The current study revealed a high prevalence of dysmenorrhea among nurse and midwife trainees in the northern part of Ghana. The majority of the respondent experienced loss of appetite and intense pain in the pelvis and lower abdomen, and their concentration during lectures was also significantly affected. The most predominant nonpharmacological method used for reducing the pain was sleep and the application of warm objects on the abdomen.

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Self-medication Practice in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Pattern of Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students at a Nursing College in Eastern Nepal

Pattern of Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Nursing Students at a Nursing College in Eastern Nepal

Understanding menstrual health and related health-seeking behavior in adolescent girls at a tribal welfare school in Vikarabad: a cross-sectional analysis

Prevalence, Management, and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Lives of Nurse and Midwife Trainees in Northern Ghana

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