The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities
Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent condition affecting a significant number of women globally. In Ethiopia, the intersection of cultural beliefs, limited health education, and resource availability may exacerbate challenges such as absenteeism and decreased academic performance among fe...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03924-8 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849235013572231168 |
|---|---|
| author | Getachew Nigussie Bolado Bizuayehu Atinafu Ataro Eshetu Elfios Endrias Agumas Shibabaw Ayana Worku Mimani Minuta Habtamu Hurisa Habtamu Bekele |
| author_facet | Getachew Nigussie Bolado Bizuayehu Atinafu Ataro Eshetu Elfios Endrias Agumas Shibabaw Ayana Worku Mimani Minuta Habtamu Hurisa Habtamu Bekele |
| author_sort | Getachew Nigussie Bolado |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent condition affecting a significant number of women globally. In Ethiopia, the intersection of cultural beliefs, limited health education, and resource availability may exacerbate challenges such as absenteeism and decreased academic performance among female students facing this condition. Understanding the lived experiences of these students and their coping mechanisms, as well as their impact on academic performance, is vital for developing targeted interventions and supporting them in improving their academic performance. Objective To explore the lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities regarding the impact of dysmenorrhea on their academic performance and to identify the coping strategies they employ to manage menstrual pain and its academic implications. Methods This subnational phenomenological study was conducted with eighteen female student participants selected from public universities in southern Ethiopia, ensuring a diverse representation. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide, and interviews were conducted face-to-face with participants from nearby universities or by telephone with those from distant locations from March 27 to April 27, 2025. Thematic analyses were done using OpenCode software based on the seven-step approach of Colaizzi’s framework of analysis. Results In this study, seven major themes and twenty-two subthemes were identified. The themes surrounding students’ lived experiences of menstrual pain included physical, emotional, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects. Its impact on academic performance was classified into themes of academic engagement and performance, and students’ coping mechanisms were categorized into personal strategies, use of campus medical resources, and reliance on social support networks. Conclusion and recommendation Female university students frequently encounter challenging lived experiences associated with dysmenorrhea, which significantly detract them from their academic performance. These students employ a range of coping strategies, such as personal techniques, seeking medical help like analgesics, and utilizing social support systems like peer interactions and communication with faculty to maintain their productivity in their studies. It is recommended that stakeholders provide the necessary resources and medical support to effectively address menstrual health concerns. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6fef3232640f4d54b8eaa992fb501f9c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-6fef3232640f4d54b8eaa992fb501f9c2025-08-20T04:02:56ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-07-0125111310.1186/s12905-025-03924-8The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universitiesGetachew Nigussie Bolado0Bizuayehu Atinafu Ataro1Eshetu Elfios Endrias2Agumas Shibabaw Ayana3Worku Mimani Minuta4Habtamu Hurisa5Habtamu Bekele6Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityAdult Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityAdult Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityHuman Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityMSc in Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health, Jinka UniversitySurgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversitySurgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo UniversityAbstract Background Dysmenorrhea is a prevalent condition affecting a significant number of women globally. In Ethiopia, the intersection of cultural beliefs, limited health education, and resource availability may exacerbate challenges such as absenteeism and decreased academic performance among female students facing this condition. Understanding the lived experiences of these students and their coping mechanisms, as well as their impact on academic performance, is vital for developing targeted interventions and supporting them in improving their academic performance. Objective To explore the lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities regarding the impact of dysmenorrhea on their academic performance and to identify the coping strategies they employ to manage menstrual pain and its academic implications. Methods This subnational phenomenological study was conducted with eighteen female student participants selected from public universities in southern Ethiopia, ensuring a diverse representation. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide, and interviews were conducted face-to-face with participants from nearby universities or by telephone with those from distant locations from March 27 to April 27, 2025. Thematic analyses were done using OpenCode software based on the seven-step approach of Colaizzi’s framework of analysis. Results In this study, seven major themes and twenty-two subthemes were identified. The themes surrounding students’ lived experiences of menstrual pain included physical, emotional, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects. Its impact on academic performance was classified into themes of academic engagement and performance, and students’ coping mechanisms were categorized into personal strategies, use of campus medical resources, and reliance on social support networks. Conclusion and recommendation Female university students frequently encounter challenging lived experiences associated with dysmenorrhea, which significantly detract them from their academic performance. These students employ a range of coping strategies, such as personal techniques, seeking medical help like analgesics, and utilizing social support systems like peer interactions and communication with faculty to maintain their productivity in their studies. It is recommended that stakeholders provide the necessary resources and medical support to effectively address menstrual health concerns.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03924-8DysmenorrheaFemale studentsPublic universitiesLived experiencesAcademic performanceCoping mechanisms |
| spellingShingle | Getachew Nigussie Bolado Bizuayehu Atinafu Ataro Eshetu Elfios Endrias Agumas Shibabaw Ayana Worku Mimani Minuta Habtamu Hurisa Habtamu Bekele The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities BMC Women's Health Dysmenorrhea Female students Public universities Lived experiences Academic performance Coping mechanisms |
| title | The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities |
| title_full | The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities |
| title_fullStr | The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities |
| title_short | The impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies: lived experiences of female students in Ethiopian public universities |
| title_sort | impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and coping strategies lived experiences of female students in ethiopian public universities |
| topic | Dysmenorrhea Female students Public universities Lived experiences Academic performance Coping mechanisms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03924-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT getachewnigussiebolado theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT bizuayehuatinafuataro theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT eshetuelfiosendrias theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT agumasshibabawayana theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT workumimaniminuta theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT habtamuhurisa theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT habtamubekele theimpactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT getachewnigussiebolado impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT bizuayehuatinafuataro impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT eshetuelfiosendrias impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT agumasshibabawayana impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT workumimaniminuta impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT habtamuhurisa impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities AT habtamubekele impactofdysmenorrheaonacademicperformanceandcopingstrategieslivedexperiencesoffemalestudentsinethiopianpublicuniversities |