ATTITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF ISRA UNIVERSITY ABOUT DYSMENORRHOEA AND ITS TREATMENT

Authors

  • Naheed Parveen
  • Rehana Majeed
  • Nishat Zehra
  • Uzma Rajar
  • Aftab A Munir

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhoea is the term for painful menstruation. It is a commongynaecological complaint among female adolescent. The objective of this study was to assessattitude and knowledge about treatment of dysmenorrhoea among medical students of IsraUniversity. Methods: This study was conducted at Isra University Hyderabad. Nonprobability, convenient random selection from MBBS student was done. Participants includedwere 18–25 years of ages, irrespective of marital status. Girls with irregular menstrual cycles,primary or secondary amenorrhea were excluded from the study. Pre-designed questionnairewas filled by the students. Results: A total of 197 female medical students were recruited,dysmenorrhoea was reported in 76%, of these 62.43% had primary and 13.19% had secondarydysmenorrhoea. Majority 89 (59.70%) of the girls had mild G1 to moderate 48 (32.21%) G2dysmenorrhoea and twelve 8.05% were with sever dysmenorrhoea. The most commonsymptoms observed were abdominal cramps 94 (63%), irritability 91 (61.07%), headache 41(24.5%) and vomiting 34 (22.8%). Different attitudes of students were assessed, that 40.6% ofsubjects can not do their routine work and 19.3% remain absent from education place. Only69.5% students were using commercial pads, 67% girls were not taking bath and 92.4% werenot doing exercise during menstruation, only 15 (7.6%) were doing exercise from the studypopulation. Simple analgesic was the most known drug to 49.7% of participants for relief ofdysmenorrhoea pain. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhoea is a common problem among young girls,and it significantly affects their class attendance, academic performance and routine work.Even being medical students, strong cultural believes were observed regarding menstrualcycle. Attitudinal changes are necessary to develop, educational strategies, appropriate use ofmedications and consultation with physician, to empower these young girls regarding healthylife-style.Keywords: dysmenorrhoea, medical students, associated symptoms, attitude, treatment

References

Poureslami M, Ashtiani FO. Assessing knowledge, attitudes and

behavior of adolescent girls in suburban districts of Tehran about

dysmenorrhoea and menstrual hygiene. J Int Women Stud

;20(2):1–10.

Banikarim C, Chacko MR, Kelder SH. Prevalence and impact of

dysmenorrhoea on hispanic female adolescents. Arch Pediatr

Adolesc Med 2000;154:1226–9.

Tangehai K, Titapant V, Boriboonhirunsarn D. Dysmenorrhoea

in Thai adolescents: Prvalence, impact and knowledge of

treatment. J Med Assoc Thai 2004;87:S69–S73.

Jaung CM, Yen MS, Horng HC, Cheng CY, Yuan CC, Chang

CM. Natural progression of menstrual pain in nulliparous women

at reproductive age: An observational study. J Chin Med Assoc

;69:484–8

French L, Dysmenorrhoea. Am Fam Physician 2005;71:285–91.

Simth PR, Kaunitz AM, Treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in

adult women. Available at: http://www.uptodate.com/patients/

content/topic.do

DeCherney HA. Dysmenorrhoea: Primary dysmenorrhoea. ACP

Medicine online, Medscape General Medicine. posted 3/10/2006.

Available at: http://www.medscape.com

Harel Z Dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and young adults:

Etiology and management. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynaecol

;19:363–71.

Elahi N, Parveen N. Menstrual disorders in adolescent age group.

J Coll Physician Surg Pak 1997;7(3):105–7.

Hillen TI, Grbavac SL, Johnston PJ, Straton JA, Keogh JM.

Primary dysmenorrhoea in young western Australian women:

prevalence, impact and knowledge of treatment. J Adolesc

Health, 1999;25(1):40–5.

El-Gilany AH, Badawi K, El-Fedawy S. Menstrual hygiene

among adolescent schoolgirls in Mansoura, Egypt. Reprod

Health MatterS 2005;13(26):147–52.

Beek JS. Puberty and dysmenorrhoea Treatment. In: Novice`s

Gynaecology. New York: Williams and Wilkins publication;

p. 771–80.

Dagwood MY. Dysmenorrhoea. J Reprod Med 1995;30:154–67.

Ojeda L. Menopause without Medicine: Menstrual cramps. USA:

Hunter House Inc. 1995.

Published

2009-09-01

Most read articles by the same author(s)