Assessment On Outcome Of Papaya Fruit On Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Among Adolescent Girls In Selected Setting

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is medically defined as distressing physical and psychological symptoms not caused by organic disease which appear before menstruation regress during the menstruation, perhaps a hormone imbalance, due to lack of progesterone, a poor diet and lack of exercise. Premenstrual tension syndrome is the emotional tension, insomnia, depression, irritability associated with the premenstrual week. Somatic sensations associated with the syndrome are bloating, cramping, tenderness of the breasts, swelling of hands and feet, temporary weight gain. Premenstrual disorder is a condition in which the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are more severe and cause significant functional impairment .It has been estimated that anywhere from 3 to 9% of women suffer from this disorder (Woods, 2005). In premenstrual syndrome, symptoms can be controlled to some extent by the dietary manipulations. Studies suggest that a diet high in vitamin C, calcium and magnesium was helpful in order to reduce the level of premenstrual tension syndrome. It is advisable to take diet consisting of fruits which is rich in calcium, antioxidant, vitamin A and minerals from one week prior to menstruation. Papaya fruit is an excellent source of dietary fibre, folate, vitamin A, C and E.It also contains small amount of calcium, iron, riboflavin, thiamine and niacin. It is also very rich in antioxidant nutrients flavonoids and carotenes, very high in vitamin A and C & and also low in calorie. Materials and Methods: Premenstrual syndrome is linked to other disorders associated with inadequate calcium, iron, vitamins and minerals. Hence the researcher was interested to reduce the level of premenstrual tension syndrome by providing papaya fruit for adolescent girls. The aim of the study was to determine the outcome of papaya fruit on premenstrual tension syndrome among adolescent girls in selected setting. A Quasi experimental design was adopted. The study was conducted at selected governmentschool, Arakonam.60 adolescent girls were selected.30 in experimental and 30 in control group. Adolescent girls who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using non probability purposive sampling technique.Results:The demographic variables were age in years, age at menarche, weight in kilogram, body mass index and type of diet. The pretest and posttest level of PMTS was determined by modified premenstrual tension syndrome scale.75 mg of papaya fruit was provided by the researcher from the 5th day of last menstrual period in mid morning for 21 days. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The pretest and posttest level of premenstrual tension syndrome were compared and found that in pretest 6(20%)had mild level of premenstrual tension syndrome,24(80%)had moderate level of premenstrual tension syndrome ,none of them comes under severe level of premenstrual tension syndrome and in post test 27(90%) had mild level of premenstrual tension syndrome,3(10%) had moderate level of premenstrual tension syndrome, none of them comes under the severe level of premenstrual tension syndrome. Conclusion:Thus the study concludes that papaya fruit was effective to reduce the level of premenstrual tension syndrome. Theconceptual framework was based on modified Weidenbach’s helping art nursing theory. The research hypothesis formulated for the study was “there is a significant relationship between the premenstrual tension syndrome and papaya fruit” .The outcome was proved in comparing the pretest and post test level of premenstrual tension syndrome where the result showed p<0.05 level of significance. Thus the research hypothesis was accepted. It was also found that papaya fruit have a role in reducing PMTS. This is statistically proved that research hypothesis was accepted as papaya fruit was effective to alleviate PMTS