Self-reported effects of dysmenorrhea and its impact on health-related quality of life among female students of three tertiary institutions in Delta State of Nigeria

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a condition frequently reported by women of childbearing age. It may be accompanied by a number of symptoms. The severity of the symptoms of dysmenorrhea may significantly affect the professional activity of women, as well as their family and social life and also their emotional state. This study examined the self-reported effects of dysmenorrhea and its impact on the health-related quality of life of young women at the College of Education, Agbor, Delta State University Abraka and School of Health, Ufuoma. The research design was descriptive and cross-sectional employing the questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 400 female students were randomly selected in the three institutions. SPSS Version 24 was used for the analysis. Most of the study groups were women between 16 and 27 years of age, with higher education, not married and not having children. The common symptoms experienced during menstruation were fatigue (26.3%), dizziness (15.3%) and headache (14.8%). On the impact on quality of life, 33.7%, 25.8%, 23.9% and 16.6% of all respondents always experienced negative effects in their social, career, sex and family lives respectively. The severity of menstrual cramps and diagnosis of health-associated risks among respondents from the various institutions were correlated in only Delta State University (p=0.022 and 0.002) and Delta-State School of Health (p=0.006 and 0.013) with effect on social and sex life of respondents respectively. Dysmenorrhea is an important health problem for adolescents, which adversely affects the daily activities and quality of life for adolescent women.