Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea in high school girls in Mukalla city, Yemen

Abstract EN

Objective: To describe the prevalence, determinants and effects of dysmenorrhea in high school girls, the most common reported menstrual complaint at this age (Dysmenorrhea has not previously been described among high school girls in Mukalla).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Catchments area from two secondary schools for girls in Mukalla (Al-Mina secondary school and Fowah secondary school).

Population: Five hundred and forty unmarried post menarcheal girls were involved in this study.

Methods: Eligible participants were asked standardized questions regarding pain during menstruation, complaints, severity and its impact on their school activities.

Data analysis: data entery and analysis way done by using SPSS software computer program.

Results: Out of540 girls, 332 girls (61.5 %) had dysmenorrhea Out of the 540 girls it was severe enough to prevent the girls from going to schools in 151 girls (28%), while the other 181 girls (33.5%) they can still go to school (moderate dysmenorrhea).

The prevalence of painful menstruation was highest among girls with early onset of menarche (9-11 years), while the severity of pain was highest among girls with late onset of menarche (15-17 years).

Only 42.2% of them used drugs for their pains.

The most frequent associated symptom w as fatigue.

Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea is an important common gynaecological complaint among high school girls and has a remarkable impact on their daily activity and study.

Recommendation: Health education about dysmenorrhea is important and the different types of treatment and its efficacy in alleviating the symptoms and improving the life style of the high schools girls, is also recommended.