Abstract:
Background: Dysmenorrhea is an important public health problem that reduces adolescents’ quality of life. Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common causes of gynecological complaints among adolescents globally and is a neglected reproductive health morbidity. Despite the severity of dysmenorrhea, women do not get adequate medical care. There is no published literature that shows the effects of dysmenorrhea on health-related quality of life in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, associated factors, and its effect on health-related quality of life among adolescent students in Jimma town high schools.
Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town high schools from June 14-July 1, 2022. A total of 497 adolescents participated in the study. A pretested self administered questionnaire was used. The sample size for each high school was allocated by proportional allocation, and simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. All variables with a p-value < 0.25 during bivariable logistic regression were candidates for multivariable logistic regression analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. AOR with a 95% CI and a p-value <0.05 was used to report the relationship between independent variables and dysmenorrhea. An independent sample T-test was used to compare the mean scores of HRQoL among adolescents with and without dysmenorrhea.
Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescents was 68.3% (95% CI: 64.2–72.7%). Early menarche (AOR: 4.56, 95% CI: 1.74, 11.96), shorter sleep duration (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.42, 3.56) and positive family history of dysmenorrhea (AOR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.84, 4.6) were significantly and positively associated with dysmenorrhea, while both regular (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.8) and irregular physical activity (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.85) were significantly and negatively associated. The overall mean score of HRQoL was significantly lower among students with dysmenorrhea than their counterparts (p<0.001, 95% CI: 13.95, 19.41, ES=1.13).
Conclusion: Dymenorrhea affects about two-thirds of adolescent populations, indicating that it is a public health problem. Early menarche, shorter sleep duration, a positive family history of dysmenorrhea, and physical activity were significantly associated with dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea substantially reduces health related quality of life. It is preferable to provide information and education on the importance of medicinal and non-medicinal coping mechanisms for the pain, longer sleep duration, and physical activity in preventing the pain.
