Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its associated factors among female medical students at Kampala International University Western Campus

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its associated factors among female medical students at Kampala international University–western campus. A descriptive cross sectional study design was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its associated factors among female medical students at Kampala International University Ishaka. A cross sectional study is chosen due to its ability to provide quantitative data. The study was conducted among female medical students that is; those offering certificate, diploma and bachelor nursing at Kampala International University western campus Ishaka. The study sampled 259 respondents to represent the whole population. The data collected was statistically analyzed and documented using Microsoft Excel. The excel file was imported into a software Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Among the respondents 6.9% had experience their first menstrual period at age of 12, 37.8% of the respondents experience at age of 12-14, 44.8% of the respondents experience at age 15-16 while 10.4% of the respondents experience at age of 16. It was concluded that prevalence of the dysmenorrhea is high in our study population. So, from the study it can be concluded that dysmenorrhea is a very common problem among girls, such high prevalence makes dysmenorrhea a significant public health problem among young students that demands some attention from policy makers. The recommended that enlightenment programmes should be organized periodically by the school health nurses on the various management strategies for menstrual disorders and how to use them effectively. Keywords: dysmenorrhea, menstrual period and disorders