Family Nursing

Biography

Biography: Ahmed M Nooh

Abstract

Study Objective: To determine the nature and prevalence of menstrual disorders among teenage females. Design Setting: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Zagazig University Students’ Hospital, Zagazig, Egypt. Participants include a representative sample of female students attending the university pre-enrolment medical examination. Interventions: Self-administered questionnaire covering items on the adolescents’ demographic data and menstruation characteristics was used to collect the data. Main Outcome Measures: Information about menarche, body mass index (BMI), physical exercise, cycle length and regularity, duration of menses, menstrual blood loss, dysmenorrhea, and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Results: A total of 285 questionnaires were analysed. Mean age at menarche was 12.3±1.5. Oligomenorrhea was reported by 18 participants (6.3%) while 5 others (1.8%) mentioned having polymenorrhea. Hypomenorrhea was noted in 25 students (8.8%), while hypermenorrhea was reported by 12 (4.2%). Irregular periods were mentioned by 24 students (8.4%). Dysmenorrhea was reported in 188 students (66.0%). Out of these, 81 (28.4%) graded their pain as mild, 69 (24.2%) as moderate and 38 (13.3%) as severe. PMS was mentioned by 160 girls (56.1%). Consulting somebody regarding their menstrual problems was reported by 36 students (12.6%). Conclusion: Our results are not greatly different from those in other parts of the world. Data on nature and prevalence of menstrual disorders and their impact on young women’s health status, quality of life and social integration suggest that management of these disorders should be given more attention within the available reproductive health care programs. Further research into prevalence of and risk factors for menstrual disorders and their morbidity is warranted and anxiously awaited.