Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its related dietary, anthropometric, menstrual, sociodemographic factors in Isfahan Medical Sciences University, Iran
Women make up approximately half of the global population. Dysmenorrhea is one of the common health problems that can affect negatively different dimensions of women’s life and incur economic losses for communities. Thus this cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 until April 20...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/75364/1/FPSK%28M%29%202014%2010%20IR.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/75364/ |
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| Summary: | Women make up approximately half of the global population. Dysmenorrhea
is one of the common health problems that can affect negatively different
dimensions of women’s life and incur economic losses for communities. Thus
this cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 until April 2013
to determine the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and factors associated
with its intensity among undergraduate female students of Isfahan University
of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 311 undergraduate female students who
were studying at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences participated in this
study. In the present study several instruments include (1) Socio-demographic
information questionnaire, (2) 0-10cm Numeric Pain Rating Scale
questionnaire, (3) Menstrual characteristics questionnaire, (4) Pictorial Blood
Assessment Chart questionnaire, (5) 3day 24hour food recall, (6) Meal
skipping questionnaire ,
(7) “PLUSAVIS 333” body composition analyzer to measure the weight and
body fat mass, (7) SECA body meter for measuring the height, (8) stretchresistant
tape for measurement the waist circumference and hip circumference
were used. Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 89.1% and the intensity
of primary dysmenorrhea was reported as mild by 30.3%, moderate by 36.5%
and severe by 33.2% (Mean± SD= 4.7± 3.00). There was significant association
between younger age of participants (r=-0.233, p<
0.001), lower mother’s years of formal education (r=-0.143, p<0.05), and
home residing ( = 16.8, p<0.001) with the higher intensity of primary
dysmenorrhea. In addition, lower bleeding intensity (r=0.225, p<0.001),
longer interval between periods (r=-0.202, p<0.01), and negative family
history of dysmenorrhea ( = 28.09, p<0.001) were significantly associated
with the lower intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Moreover, association
between lower body fat percentage (r=-0.245, p<0.01), lower BMI (r=-0.226,
p<0.01), smaller waist circumference to height ratio (r=-0.222,p<0.01), smaller waist circumference (r=-0.180, p<0.01), and smaller waist to
hip circumference ratio (r=-0.122, p<0.05) with the higher intensity of primary
dysmenorrhea were found. Meanwhile, lower calcium intake (r= - 0.238,
p<0.01), lower magnesium intake (r= -0.235, p<0.001), and meal skipping ( =
14.611, p <0.001) were positively associated with the higher intensity of
primary dysmenorrhea. However, family size, monthly family income, age of
menarche, length of menstrual period, dietary intake of fat, protein, energy,
fiber, vitamin E, carbohydrate were not significantly associated with the
intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Result of this study showed that positive
family history of dysmenorrhea, meal skipping, younger age, lower intake of
calcium and magnesium, residing at home, lower body fat percentage, higher
bleeding intensity, lower mother’s years of formal education, and shorter
interval between periods were factors that significantly contributed to the
higher intensity of primary dysmenorrhea ( 0.404; F (10,266) = 19.735,
p<0.05). In the current study, family history of dysmenorrhea was the
strongest factor that contributed to the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea (β=
-0.249; p<0.05) while the weakest factor that contributed to the intensity of
primary dysmenorrhea was interval between periods (β= -0.128; p<0.05). In
summary, results of this study indicated that primary dysmenorrhea was a
common gynecological complaint and some socio-demographic factors,
menstrual characteristics, anthropometric indicators, and dietary parameters
were significantly contributed toward the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea
among undergraduate female students of Isfahan University of Medical
Sciences. Hence, particular consideration should be paid to primary
dysmenorrhea as a common health problem among young women and some
attention to the associated factors can be helpful. For instance, positive family
history of dysmenorrhea, younger age, and heavier menstruation are the signs
that can help the healthcare providers to recognize high-risk young university
students and focus intervention programs to reduce their pain. Individuals
must investigate primary dysmenorrhea and consult specialists to reduce
suffering from this problem. Moreover, they should try to have suitable diet
with enough intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients. They
should also have daily meals and avoid meal-skipping in order to have good
nutritional practices. Additionally individuals should try to be fit and where
necessary consult specialists including nutritionists and dietitians and avoid
wrong models of fitness and wrong methods of dieting. Further research is
needed to support the results of this study and to investigate the other
contributed factors to the intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. |
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