The Correlation between Physical Activity and Primary Dysmenorrhea in Female Adolescents

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is one of the problems among female adolescents. The dysmenorrhea incident rate in East Java reached 64.25% consisting of 54.89% primary dysmenorrhea and 9.36% secondary dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to explain the correlation between physical activity as how it related to primary dysmenorrhea in female adolescents. This study used a cross-sectional research approach. The study was conducted in a Senior High School in Rengel, Tuban. This study used the purposive sampling technique. A total of 77 respondents (mean age 16.4 years), who winvolved in the study. The data collection used a Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) to measure physical activity and the measurement within the pain scale questionnaire used the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The data was collected using the questionnaires and the results were analyzed using the Spearman rho test with a significance level α ≤ 0, 05. The results of this study showed there to be a correlation between physical activity (p = 0.033) and dysmenorrhea in female adolescents. The present study therefore has indicated a correlation between physical activity and dysmenorrhea. Physical activity is beneficial in reducing primary dysmenorrhea. For future implementation, it is suggested to conduct an appropriate intervention such as physical activity and stress management in order to reduce emotional symptoms associated with primary dysmenorrhea.