Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors among high school students in Hawassa, Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Keywords:
primary dysmenorrhea, prevalence, high school students, EthiopiaAbstract
Background: A crampy pain in the lower abdomen that occurs prior to or throughout the period of menstruation without any pelvic pathology is known as primary dysmenorrhea. Although primary dysmenorrhea is the most common reproductive health issue globally, there is no information on the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in this particular study population, where the study area is located. The study's objectives were to determine the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated factors among high school students in Hawassa from March to April 2022.
Methods: A total of 373 high school students were participated in this cross-sectional study conducted from March to April 2022. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 25. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors.
Results: Among female students recruited for the current study, the response rate was 96.9%. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 67.6%. Around 30.3% reported mild-intensity menstrual pain and 63.3 complained about lower abdominal pain. 69.7% of study participants reported trouble concentrating at school as the impact of menstrual pain. Female students under the age of eighteen were fifteen times more likely to experience primary dysmenorrhea (AOR: 13.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.09, 26.303) than those age eighteen and greater. Female students whose menarche stared at the age of twelve or below were nearly eight times more likely to develop primary dysmenorrhea {AOR : 8.55; 95% CI: 4.34,16.82). Having an irregular menstrual cycle was also a determinant factor of primary dysmenorrhea (AOR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.36, 4.83).
Conclusions: The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was found to be high. Age, age at menarche, and irregular menstrual cycle were determinants of primary dysmenorrhea.
