Prevalence, Perceptions and Effects of Dysmenorrhea in School Going Female Adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Dysmenorrhea is one of the pervasive health problems that affect the quality of female adolescence’s life globally. Dysmenorrhea is experienced in the first years of reproductive life. There is numbers of socio-cultural factors due to which young adolescents don’t seek medical help affecting their social lives.

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, perceptions of female adolescent related to dysmenorrhea, effects and management of dysmenorrhea in the school going female adolescents of Karachi.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to explore this phenomenon was conducted in private and public schools of Karachi and included 337 school and college going female students aged between 12-19 years. The sample was selected through the stratified sampling method. Questionnaire about the perceptions and effects of dysmenorrhea was administered. Approval of study protocol was obtained from Ethical Review Committee Aga Khan University, Karachi.

Results: Dysmenorrhea was reported by 78%. Only 11% females used some home remedies. 27% females who suffered dysmenorrhea took analgesics and 73% did not opt for any analgesic. An association was found between the experience of dysmennhorea and self-imposed dietary restrictions, dysmenorrhea and analgesic and home remedies by the study participants. In our study 40% females reported a decline in academic performance and attendance during dysmenorrhea.

Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea in the female adolescent age group has a marked impact on their academic performance and social role. Therefore, it is important to create awareness among adolescent girls about the health management during dysmenorrhea.