Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia

Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological issue among young females. However, no studies in Zambia have examined the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea...

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Main Authors: Nachizya Edith Namukanga, Joseph Mumba Zulu, Margarate N Munakampe, Dennis M Ngosa, Samson Shumba, Choolwe Jacobs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Community Health Research
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Online Access:http://jhr.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1073-en.pdf
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author Nachizya Edith Namukanga
Joseph Mumba Zulu
Margarate N Munakampe
Dennis M Ngosa
Samson Shumba
Choolwe Jacobs
author_facet Nachizya Edith Namukanga
Joseph Mumba Zulu
Margarate N Munakampe
Dennis M Ngosa
Samson Shumba
Choolwe Jacobs
author_sort Nachizya Edith Namukanga
collection DOAJ
description Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological issue among young females. However, no studies in Zambia have examined the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescents in selected schools in the Lusaka District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in eight randomly selected schools in Lusaka, including 400 post-menarche girls aged 10–19 years. Participants were selected via random sampling, and data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire informed by literature. The tool included closed-ended and Likert scale questions, piloted for reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.8–0.9). Analysis was performed using STATA version 14.2, with variables having p < 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression considered statistically significant. Results: All 400 participants responded (response rate: 100%). The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 78% (312/400; 95% CI: 73.6%–82.0%). Major risk factors included a positive family history (p < 0.001) and symptoms like breast tenderness (p = 0.008), diarrhea (p < 0.001), headache (p = 0.002), and nausea (p = 0.015). Menstrual cycles lasting 31–35 days (p = 0.034) and moderate menstrual flow (p = 0.011) were also significant. Conclusion: Primary dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescents in Lusaka. Determinants included family history, long cycles, moderate flow intensity, and menstrual discomfort.
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spelling doaj-art-30f1fd8a983741c5b69467ecb790a8a92025-08-20T02:38:55ZengShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesJournal of Community Health Research2322-56882345-26092024-01-01131243255Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, ZambiaNachizya Edith Namukanga0Joseph Mumba Zulu1Margarate N Munakampe2Dennis M Ngosa3Samson Shumba4Choolwe Jacobs5 1. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia- 2. School of Health and Applied Sciences, UNICAF University, Lusaka, Zambia Department of Community Health, Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia Department of Community Health, Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia 1. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia 2. Analysis Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological issue among young females. However, no studies in Zambia have examined the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescents in selected schools in the Lusaka District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in eight randomly selected schools in Lusaka, including 400 post-menarche girls aged 10–19 years. Participants were selected via random sampling, and data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire informed by literature. The tool included closed-ended and Likert scale questions, piloted for reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.8–0.9). Analysis was performed using STATA version 14.2, with variables having p < 0.05 in multivariate logistic regression considered statistically significant. Results: All 400 participants responded (response rate: 100%). The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 78% (312/400; 95% CI: 73.6%–82.0%). Major risk factors included a positive family history (p < 0.001) and symptoms like breast tenderness (p = 0.008), diarrhea (p < 0.001), headache (p = 0.002), and nausea (p = 0.015). Menstrual cycles lasting 31–35 days (p = 0.034) and moderate menstrual flow (p = 0.011) were also significant. Conclusion: Primary dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescents in Lusaka. Determinants included family history, long cycles, moderate flow intensity, and menstrual discomfort.http://jhr.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1073-en.pdfprevalencedysmenorrheaadolescentrisk factorsmenstruation
spellingShingle Nachizya Edith Namukanga
Joseph Mumba Zulu
Margarate N Munakampe
Dennis M Ngosa
Samson Shumba
Choolwe Jacobs
Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
Journal of Community Health Research
prevalence
dysmenorrhea
adolescent
risk factors
menstruation
title Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
title_full Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
title_fullStr Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
title_short Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent Girls in Selected Schools of Lusaka District, Zambia
title_sort prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated risk factors among adolescent girls in selected schools of lusaka district zambia
topic prevalence
dysmenorrhea
adolescent
risk factors
menstruation
url http://jhr.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1073-en.pdf
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