Prevalence and influencing factors of dysmenorrhea among female college students

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of dysmenorrhea among female college students in Changchun city, so as to provide scientific basis for health promotion and effective preventive measurement. Methods Non-randomized convenience sampling and face to face interview were used to collect information from female college students aged between 17 and 25 years in 14 universities in Changchun. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to analyze influencing factors of dysmenorrhea. Results The average age of 1 071 subjects was 21.21 ± 1.83 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 86.55%. The proportion of mild dysmenorrhea among the subjects was 62.56%, followed by 33.01% with moderate dysmenorrhea and 4.43% with severe dysmenorrhea; 80.76% of subjects paid attention to keep warm in the daily life. Normal BMI, sleeping before 23 o'clock or between 23 to 24 o'clock, taking exercise frequently or everyday might be the protective factors of dysmenorrhea, and the OR values (95%CI) were respectively as 0.60 (0.37- 0.97), 0.56 (0.37- 0.84), 0.42 (0.22- 0.78) and 0.63(0.42- 0.97). Tension and the family history of dysmenorrhea might be the risk factors, and the OR values (95% CI) were respectively 1.63 (1.10- 2.41), 4.84 (2.80- 8.35). Conclusion The prevalence of dysmenorrhea is high among female college students. Lacking exercise, BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2, staying up late, tension and the family history of dysmenorrhea may be the influencing factors of dysmenorrhea among female college students. Key words: Dysmenorrhea; Female college students; Changchun city; Influencing factor