The Prevalence and Impacts of Dysmenorrhoea Among Female University Students in Ucc, Ghana

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MEDIAL LABORATORY

THE PREVALENCE AND IMPACTS OF DYSMENORRHOEA AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN UCC (UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST), GHANA

BY

LORDINA BRIDGET FYNN

ABSTRACT

Background

 Dysmenorrhoea is the pain or discomfort associated with menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea is characterised by crampy pelvic pain and abdominal pains shortly before or at the onset of menses and lasting 1-3 days

Dysmenorrhoea is a common problem of women at the reproductive age and may have an impact on the education of females at various stages on the educational ladder .Furthermore, dysmenorrhea is a common cause of sickness absenteeism from lectures.

Aim: Generally, this study is to evaluate the prevalence and the impacts of dysmenorrhoea among female university students in UCC

Objective:This study seeks to ascertain the prevalence rate and impacts of dysmenorrhea   and the level of awareness of the dangers associated with the analgesics used its management among female university students in UCC.

Method: An institutionalized based quantitative cross-sectional study will be employed. And study subjects selected by a simple random sampling technique.

Timeline: This study would take approximately 9(nine) weeks for completion

Budget:  The project will require GH₵264.00

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of study

Menstruation is a periodic discharge of blood from uterus which occurs more or less at regular monthly intervals throughout the active reproductive life of a woman. This may be associated with various constitutional disturbances. Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynaecologic complaints in adolescents and young women who present to clinicians. It can be defined as painful menstruation. This may start a few days before menstruation and lasts for a few hours to several days.it may be categorized into two distinct types: primary and secondary.  Primary dysmenorrhoea is common among adolescents and has no pathological associations. It is usually associated with increased prostaglandins. However, secondary dysmenorrhoea has underlying disease such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, intra-uterine devices, irregular cycles or infertility problems, ovarian cysts, adenomyosis, uterine myomas or polyps, intra-uterine adhesions, or cervical stenosis.

The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea decreases with increasing age; prevalence is highest in the 20 to 24 year old age group and decreases progressively thereafter. Research on the prevalence of dysmenorrhea reported in the literature varies substantially. A greater prevalence was generally observed in young women, with estimates ranging from 67% to 90% for those aged 17–24 years (Oman Census 2010). In a recent large Australian study of senior high school girls reported that about 93% of teenagers had menstrual pain (French L 2005). The studies in adult women are less consistent in reporting prevalence of dysmenorrhea and often focus on a specific group, with rates varying from 15% to 75% (Shapiro SS. 1998).  Dysmenorrhoea is the most common symptom of all menstrual complaints and may be associated with headache, diarrhoea, and nausea and vomiting. These problems may occur prior to menstruation or with menstruation [Harlow S.D, and Campbell B. 1996].  

This condition may interfere in one’s daily activities. The individual in pain becomes depressed and moody and this interferes with social interaction. During this period, some adolescents and women lose their appetite and they may absent themselves from school or work. It does not affect only the woman, but also family, social and national economics as well. (Ortiz, M.I. 2010) A study conducted in the United States of America estimated that the state loses about two billion dollars a year due to the inability of women in pain to go to work [Sundell G, Milsom I, and Andersch B 1990]. There is a huge economic loss associated with dysmenorrhoea [Eryilmaz G, Ozdemir F, and Pasinlioglu T 2010] .In Ghana, little is known about prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its effect among Ghanaian female students within the educational institutions. This article focuses on the prevalence and impacts of dysmenorrhoea among female university students in university of cape coast (U.C.C).

1.2 Problem Statement

Although dysmenorrhoea is an important public health problem, there has, to our knowledge, not been any data published from Ghana. In order to lay the groundwork for such an undertaking, studies are needed to establish the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in adolescent Ghanaian girls. The bulk of the population in Ghana is in the adolescent age group. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in adolescent schoolgirls and its impact on school performance as well as the treatments used. An integral part of the present study is to ascertain the associated risk factors among adolescent schoolgirls with dysmenorrhoea.

1.3 AIM

The main aim of the study evaluate the prevalence and impacts of dysmenorrhoea among female university students in UCC

1.4 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Within this framework, the study seeks to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. To ascertain the prevalence and impacts of dysmenorrhoea among female university students in UCC
2. To find out the types of interventions used among these female university students in UCC for the management of dysmenorrhoea
3. To ascertain the level of awareness of the dangers associated with analgesics used in the management of dysmenorrhoea among these female university students in UCC.

 1.5 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea among female university students in UCC?
2. How can dysmenorrhoea affect one’s quality of life?
3. What are the types of  intervention used by female students for the management of dysmenorrhoea
4. Do they (intervention) have any negative impact on the health of the individual?

1.6 Significance of Study

1. It will provide useful information on the prevalence of dysmorrhoea and its effect on young women and adult
2. It will provide a good basis to make a definitive statement in support of the use of drugs in the management of dysmenorrhoea.

1.7 Delimitation

This study is delimited to female university students in university of cape coast (UCC), Ghana.

LITERATURE REVIEW

EMPERICAL REVIEW

1. The Experience Of Dysmenorrhea Among Ghanaian University Student
2. Prevalence Of Dysmenorrhea Among Ghanaian Adolescence
3. The Impact Of Dysmenorrhea

METHODOLOGY

Research Design  

The study will employ cross-sectional survey design since the study sought to obtain self-report information about adolescents’ opinions, perceptions and attitudes. According Bryman and Bell (2007), cross-sectional design involves the collection of data on more than one case and at a single point in time, in order to collect a body of data (qualitative and/or quantitative) in connection with two or more variables, which are then examined to detect patterns of associations.