Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on quality of life among nursing students

Background: Painful menstruation, is common gynaecologic problem, significantly affects the routine life of most of affected girls. Most of them experience some degree of pain and discomfort during menstrual period, which can affect their daily activities, disturb their productivity at their work place. This also appears to be a leading cause of absenteeism from college. Hence arises a need to evaluate the, prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on daily routine activities and quality of life of nursing students.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among 100 nursing students (1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year) of NSCB Medical College with the objectives to evaluate prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea and its effects on the quality of life, particularly absenteeism from college/work place. Students chosen for study and each student was given questionnaire to complete background information, question related to menstrual cycle, severity of dysmenorrhoea, PMS, and work /study /daily activities affected due to dysmenorrhoea, elucidated and data collected and analysed.Results: Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 79% of these 3% severe, 18% moderate and 58% were mild grade. Out of 79/100 participants of dysmenorrhoea 63.29% missed individual classes or their study affected, 31.64% had to take leave from work place and 51.89% reported social withdrawal during menstruation due to dysmenorrhoea.7.59% take medicines for pain relief.Conclusions: Dysmenorrhoea is a very common problem among girls and it affects their quality of life and their productivity at work place. It is important to spread awareness about the causes and treatment of dysmenorrhoea to avoid undue sufferings causing absenteeism from work and studies