IMPACT AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICE OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES OF COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, NNEWI CAMPUS

Authors

Cynthia Oluchukwu Nwogbo Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Author

Dysmenorrhea, Impact, Pain intensity, Management Practice, Female undergraduates

Background of study: After menarche many adolescent girls face different gynecological

problems. Of these, primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common. It presents as cramping

pain in the lower abdominal during menstruation. These can have significant impacts on

Academics and an overall effect on QoL. Because of these concerns, the questions about its

impact and management are raised so as to determine better ways to cope with the condition.

Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the impact and management practice

of primary dysmenorrhea among female undergraduates in College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi

Azikiwe on University, Nnewi Campus and determine what interactions exist among age and

family history with certain variables. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted

among 362 randomly selected female undergraduates of College of Health Sciences. The

instruments used were WALIDD score, Visual Analogue scale and a validated questionnaire

adapted from a survey from similar research to assess the impact and management practice of

participants. Data obtained were summarized into descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and

standard deviation; Spearman’s rank order correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were used for

hypothesis. Result: Results showed that 270 participants (95%) had some degree of

dysmenorrhea, there was significant negative impact on their academics (78.1%), there was

significant negative relationship between Age and experience of Physiological and

Psychological symptoms (r=-0.125, p=0.040). There was no significant relationship between

Age and academic impact of dysmenorrhea (r=0.091, p=0.134). Conclusion: The study showed

a high prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea, a great number of students took medications

without prescriptions, and only a few used alternative methods in managing dysmenorrhea.

There was a significant association of family history with pain intensity of dysmenorrhea.

Findings suggest alternative methods of pain management such as Aerobic exercises,

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Kinesiotape and others.