Abstract

PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA AMONG CONSTANTINE 1 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Nousseiba Abed*, Abdelkader Rouabah and Leila Rouabah

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the primary dysmenorrhea among Constantine 1 university students. Study design: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Constantine 1 University. A multiple-choice questionnaire was administered to 100 students. Data on the presence, severity, symptoms, treatment and absenteeism caused by dysmenorrhea were obtained and analyzed and the degree of pain was assessed by a 100 mm visual analog scale. Results: In the sample, the frequency of dysmenorrhea was 98%. In 69% of cases the pains appeared after the 1st year of menstruation. The mean intensity of pain was 6,32 ± 2,43 on the VAS. Of all students experiencing dysmenorrhea, 92,8% reported moderate pain or severe pain. 65,3% reported the duration of their menstrual pain as 24 hours or less. 68% reported duration of menstrual flow between 4 and 6 days. A variety of signs were reported mostly nervousness, abdominal loading and breast pain. 40,8% reporting university absence. Only 12,2% of the students consulted a doctor for their dysmenorrhea; 65% used a medical prescription and self-medication. The most common medications used were Paracetamol (27%) and Ibuprofen (22%). The results show that there was association between Intensity of dysmenorrheal pain and vomiting and nervousness also between nervousness in dysmenorrhea and age. Conclusion: The frequency of dysmenorrhea among Constantine 1 university students is high and the pain that these students suffer can be severe, disabling. It is necessary to improve the therapeutic options for relief of pain caused by dysmenorrhea and to minimize the impact of dysmenorrhea on social, and study activities

Keywords: Primary dysmenorrhea, Menstrual pain, Symptoms, Constantine 1 university, Students.