Impact of Perceived Injustice on the Severity of Menstrual Pain among High School Students: A Cross Sectional Study in Karachi

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the relation between perceived injustice and severity of menstruation pain among high school students of Karachi. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study design conducted from March until August 2021, among high school students of Karachi (public and private) selected randomly. The calculated study sample was 426. The Bahria University Health Sciences Campus Ethical Review Committee approved ERC# 39/2021. Online self-surveys collected data. The study recruited 426 14–18-year-old high school girls who had past menarche and had no psychological disorders. mentally ill, hormonally treated, or uncooperative participants were excluded. Results: Out of 426 survey participants, the average age was 17.2 ± 1.3 years. Participants scored an average of 14.0 ± 9.3 on the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ) out of 48 points. Menstrual pain intensity ranged from 6.8 ± 2.7 to 5.5 ± 2.5 points, with an average of 5.5 ± 2.5 points and a degree of interference of 5.9 ± 2.3 points. The IEQ was substantially connected to menstrual pain interference-related impairment, with a standardized regression coefficient (â) of 0.33 (95% CI). The standardized regression coefficients (â) for maximal and average pain intensity were 0.22 and 0.23, respectively. The variance inflation factor analysis showed no multicollinearity issues, with values ranging from 1.03 to 1.06. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study illuminates high school girls' emotions and perceptions. Many respondents described feeling misunderstood, having life changes, seeing conditions as unjust, and worrying about their future goals.