Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana
Background. Dysmenorrhea is a major gynaecological complaint among females who have reached menarche. It is one of the major causes of absenteeism of females from schools and at the workplaces resulting in loss of productive working hours and work efficiency. Owing to socioeconomic and cultural diff...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8059471 |
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| author | Catherine Samba Conney Irene Akwo Kretchy Michelle Asiedu-Danso Grace Lovia Allotey-Babington |
| author_facet | Catherine Samba Conney Irene Akwo Kretchy Michelle Asiedu-Danso Grace Lovia Allotey-Babington |
| author_sort | Catherine Samba Conney |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Dysmenorrhea is a major gynaecological complaint among females who have reached menarche. It is one of the major causes of absenteeism of females from schools and at the workplaces resulting in loss of productive working hours and work efficiency. Owing to socioeconomic and cultural differences, females from different backgrounds perceive and manage dysmenorrhea differently. Little is known about the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the management of this condition by females in senior high schools in Ghana. Thus, this study sought to assess the use of CAM in the management of dysmenorrhea among female students in two senior high schools in Ghana. Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted on a total of 478 female students attending Archbishop Porter Girl’s Secondary School and Mporhor Senior High School. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, lay representations of dysmenorrhea, pain intensity and severity, quality of life, self-management, and the use of CAM in the management of dysmenorrhea were obtained. The data were analysed using SPSS. Results. 79.3% of the students used some form of CAM to manage dysmenorrhea. Of CAM users, 32% were utilizing mind-body medicine such as endurance and relaxation, 31% used the whole and alternative medicine such as the hot water therapy, 15% used biological-based medicine such as herbal products, and 22% used the manipulative and body-based systems such as exercises. Various CAM methods and products were perceived to be effective in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with dysmenorrhea in about 90% of the participants who used them. Significant associations were reported for pain severity and quality of life (QoL). Conclusions. This study has demonstrated that the female students experiencing dysmenorrhea employ various CAM remedies in its management. Therefore, there is the need for education on the right management of dysmenorrhea to ensure that safe and efficacious CAM products and methods are used by adolescent female students. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7dabbbb2b2bd493ea4f4c70162c39269 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-9589 1687-9597 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| spelling | doaj-art-7dabbbb2b2bd493ea4f4c70162c392692025-08-20T02:07:38ZengWileyObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972019-01-01201910.1155/2019/80594718059471Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of GhanaCatherine Samba Conney0Irene Akwo Kretchy1Michelle Asiedu-Danso2Grace Lovia Allotey-Babington3Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 43, Legon, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 43, Legon, GhanaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 43, Legon, GhanaDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Microbiology, School of Pharmacy University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 43, Legon, GhanaBackground. Dysmenorrhea is a major gynaecological complaint among females who have reached menarche. It is one of the major causes of absenteeism of females from schools and at the workplaces resulting in loss of productive working hours and work efficiency. Owing to socioeconomic and cultural differences, females from different backgrounds perceive and manage dysmenorrhea differently. Little is known about the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the management of this condition by females in senior high schools in Ghana. Thus, this study sought to assess the use of CAM in the management of dysmenorrhea among female students in two senior high schools in Ghana. Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach was conducted on a total of 478 female students attending Archbishop Porter Girl’s Secondary School and Mporhor Senior High School. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics, lay representations of dysmenorrhea, pain intensity and severity, quality of life, self-management, and the use of CAM in the management of dysmenorrhea were obtained. The data were analysed using SPSS. Results. 79.3% of the students used some form of CAM to manage dysmenorrhea. Of CAM users, 32% were utilizing mind-body medicine such as endurance and relaxation, 31% used the whole and alternative medicine such as the hot water therapy, 15% used biological-based medicine such as herbal products, and 22% used the manipulative and body-based systems such as exercises. Various CAM methods and products were perceived to be effective in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with dysmenorrhea in about 90% of the participants who used them. Significant associations were reported for pain severity and quality of life (QoL). Conclusions. This study has demonstrated that the female students experiencing dysmenorrhea employ various CAM remedies in its management. Therefore, there is the need for education on the right management of dysmenorrhea to ensure that safe and efficacious CAM products and methods are used by adolescent female students.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8059471 |
| spellingShingle | Catherine Samba Conney Irene Akwo Kretchy Michelle Asiedu-Danso Grace Lovia Allotey-Babington Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| title | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana |
| title_full | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana |
| title_short | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Students in the Western Region of Ghana |
| title_sort | complementary and alternative medicine use for primary dysmenorrhea among senior high school students in the western region of ghana |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8059471 |
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