Assess the Effectiveness of Self Instructional Module on Knowledge of Premenstrual Syndrome among Adolescent Girls in Selected Area, Erode

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is used to describe physical, cognitive, affective and behavioural symptoms that occur cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve quickly at or within a few days of the onset of menstruation. It affects half of all female adolescents today and represents the leading cause of periodic college/school absenteeism among that population.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of SIM on premenstrual syndrome among adolescents.

Design: A one group pre test and post test Pre experimental design was adopted for the study.

Setting: Selected area, Erode.

Participants: 40 adolescent girls with fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected by purposive sampling.

Methods: A pre test was conducted by using knowledge questionnaire related to premenstrual syndrome. Immediately after pre test self instructional module was given to the adolescent girls to read about the premenstrual syndrome for 7 days and 8^th day post test was conducted to assess the effectiveness of SIM. Collected data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results : In pre test , the mean score of the sample was 6.73 and the post test mean score was 23.54 with Paired't' value of 21.82. This showed that the SIM was effective in enhancing the knowledge of the adolescent girls regarding premenstrual syndrome. There was a statistically no significant association found between the post test scores of the sample with their demographic variables.

Conclusion: The findings imply the need for educating adolescent girls on effective management of premenstrual syndrome. Education should be extended to parents and school peer leaders to address the reproductive health needs of adolescents.