PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Abstract

Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynecological problem of women in their reproductive age which adversely affect quality of life. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated risk factors for incidence of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent females. Further this study attempted to determine the factors associated with degree of primary dysmenorrhea. This is a cross sectional questionnaire based study conducted among 1646 adolescent female having age limit 14-19 years. Only unmarried adolescent females were included in the study however, females with gynecological, psychological or other medical problems were excluded from the study. We used Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain rating. Socio-demographic, life style and behavior and menstrual characteristics were obtained through interviews with the help of pretested questionnaire. The descriptive data analysis, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. The signicance level of the tests were considered at a signicance level of 0.05. Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 88.94%. Among dysmenorrhea 22.40% was under severe category. There was no signicant difference of prevalence of dysmenorrhea between Hindu and Muslim. Family history of dysmenorrhea strongly increase the risk of dysmenorrhea and its pain intensity. Among lifestyle characteristics skipping breakfast and frequency of junk food intake signicantly increase the risk of dysmenorrhea and degree of menstrual pain. Among reproductive characteristics irregularity of menstrual cycle, bleeding duration and release of clot blood during menstruation are signicantly associated with primary dysmenorrhea. In conclusion the results of our study suggested that primary dysmenorrhea is a signicant for a large proportion of adolescent females. Positive family history of dysmenorrhea, Junk food intake, Skipping breakfast, irregular menstruation, release of clot blood during menstruation and duration of menstrual bleeding are signicantly associated with risk of primary dysmenorrhea and its pain intensity.