Use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background Dysmenorrhea is a common problem that affects female students’ quality of life and academic activities. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of female undergraduate students with dysmenorrhea towards CATs. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in November and December 2019. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results Of the 318 female undergraduate students invited, 219 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 68.9%) with 52% aged between 21 and 23 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 72.1%, and the prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs was 70.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Bed rest (71.5%), hot compress/heating pad (47.5%) and massage (43.0%) were the most common CATs used by the respondents. The most common reasons for using CAT were to reduce the need for analgesics (61.4%), efficacy (37.3%) and recommendation by others (32.9%). About 23 and 9% of the respondents believed that CATs were equally “effective” and “more effective” than analgesics, respectively. Reducing the need for analgesics (AOR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.136–7.739) and those who agreed that CATs are effective (AOR: 2.701, 95% CI: 1.337–5.457) were independently associated with the current use CATs for the treatment of menstrual pain. Conclusion The prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs is high among female undergraduate pharmacy students. Bed rest and heat applications are the most common CATs used. Reducing the need for analgesics and efficacy are the factors associated with the current use of CATs. Students should be educated about the safe and effective use of CATs to reduce adverse effects and improve their quality of life.

Correlation between nutritional status and primary dysmenorrhea based on work ability, location, intensity, days of pain, and dysmenorrhea (Walidd) Score

“…[23] This study also showed that the most common degree of dysmenorrhea experienced by the Medical Faculty of UKI was moderate dysmenorrhea, namely at 54.4% of female students, mild at 24.4%, severe at dysmenorrhea at 7.8% of female students, and no dysmenorrhea of 13 .4% female students. It is in line with the 2020 study conducted by Abubakar et al [24] found the most degrees of dysmenorrhea based on the WaLIDD score, namely 96 (60.7%) female students experienced moderate dysmenorrhea, 38 (24.1%) severe dysmenorrhea ) female students, and mild degree as many as 24 (15.2%) female students. Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynecological problem often experienced by young women and can interfere with daily activities.…”

Prevalence and Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea among Female High School Students in Yangon Adventist Seminary

“…Applying heat promotes blood circulation, and results in the uterine muscles relaxing, which results in pain reduction. 25 Self-medication was chosen by 96.5% of respondents and 93% chose medication prescribed by a physician. We can infer that 93% of the respondents used other medications in addition to those that were prescribed by a doctor.…”

Penurunan Intensitas Nyeri Menstruasi (Dysmenorrhae) dengan Kompres Hangat

“…Hal ini menunjukan bahwa terapi kompres hangat berdampak positif dalam menurunkan nyeri dysmenorrhae (Dahlan & Syahminan, 2017). Temuan dari beberapa studi terdahulu bahwa sekitar dua dari lima siswa dengan dismenore menggunakan analgesik untuk meredakan nyeri (Abubakar et al, 2020). Ini lebih rendah dari tingkat penggunaan analgesik untuk dismenore pada penelitian lainnya yang dilakukan di Turki dan Arab Saudi (Alsaleem, 2018;Oksuz et al, 2017).…”