Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among School Students in Selected Schools, Palakkad, Kerala

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common menstrual problems among adolescent girls and significantly affects their daily activities and academic performance. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among school students and to determine its association with selected socio-demographic variables in a selected school in Palakkad district, Kerala. A quantitative research approach with a non-experimental descriptive design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 adolescent girls studying in classes 7, 8, and 9 who had attained menarche. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and questions related to dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms. The findings revealed that 80% of the participants experienced dysmenorrhea, indicating a high prevalence among school-going adolescent girls. Among the 80 participants who experienced dysmenorrhea, 47 (58.75%) reported moderate-intensity pain, which was commonly experienced during the first 1–2 days of menstruation. Common associated symptoms included fatigue, irritability, mood swings, lack of concentration, and difficulty in academic activities. The Chi-square test showed no statistically significant association between the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and selected socio-demographic variables such as age, dietary pattern, and sleeping pattern (p > 0.05). The study concludes that dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent girls and has a considerable impact on their physical comfort and academic performance. The findings highlight the need for school-based health education, early identification, and appropriate management strategies to improve menstrual health and overall well-being among adolescent girls.