PERCEPTION OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN ON DYSMENORRHOEA IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EKITI -STATE, NIGERIA

 

Ajewole I.C.C ¹, Babalola. S. A ²

 

¹ CNO and Lecturer, Department of Community  Medicine, Ekiti State university Teaching Hospital, Ado- Ekiti, Nigeria

² Consultant and Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Man’s quest for freedom from bodily pains dated as far back as man’s existence on earth. Bamidele (2008) Dysmenorrhoea is one of the bodily pains which is associated with menstrual problems which occur in female youths between the ages of 11-19 years. Bamidele (2008) According to the oxford concise medical dictionary (2008), Dysmenorrhoea is defined as menstruation that is associated with cramping lower abdominal pain radiating into the lower back and thighs; the pain sometimes precedes menstrual flow. The symptoms of dysmenorrhoea vary widely from one woman to another, and from one cycle to the next in the same person Harlow (2008) Statistical record of attendance of patients in the primary health care centre, OkeEmure showed that most female do complain of low degree of menstrual pain while a few others are severally affected.

According to Harlow (2008) most women are not bothered at all while some bothered when experiencing severe and disability symptoms, this has led many young ladies to seek for means of alleviating the pains and sufferings during the period. Due to poor influence, some of the females, especially the secondary school students, believe that menstrual pains and discomfort do occur as a result of their non-exposure to conjugal exercise Harlow (2008) They believe that sex is a means of alleviating the pains. Consequently, there is noticeable increase in teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and dropping out of schools. Walker (2010)

It has been observed that many of the female among the school aged females indulge in alcohol intake and self-medication Harlow (2008) According to Walker (2010) some female youths engage in the use of concoctions and traditional medicines that have no NAFDAC Number as means of alleviating menstrual pains. Welner (2012) postulated THAT Dysmenorrhoea is assumed to result from excessive production of prostaglandins which causes painful contraction of the uterus. Watson (2009).

Other factors like wrong radio advertisement, religious and cultural practices are all responsible for the unhealthy attitude of young female towards Dysmenorrhoea and its treatment Watson (2012). Moreover, there were divergent opinions among scholars on the societal influence on the behaviour of young females towards Dysmenorrhoea. In Gambia, it was generally believed among the rural dwellers that alcoholic drinks suppresses menstrual pain and hastens menstrual flows. Welreven (2008). Similar view is widely held among the Itsekiri in Edo state of Nigeria, “Sapelle water” as it is locally called, assuage abdominal disorder including menstrual pains. No research findings has justified this view. Signs and symptoms of Dysmenorrhoea are very common with other diseases and health problems Harlow (2008) However, the peculiarity in signs and symptoms for Dysmenorrhoea lie in the fact that it is usually mild, and it is often followed by menstrual flow; and it last between 48-72 hours Dereck  (2010)

 

2. METHODS

The target population used for the study comprised of one hundred and ten female youths residing in selected areas of Emure Local Government Area of the State Sampling Technique adopted was simple Random Sampling to select five communities out of eighteen communities that made up the LGA. Female youths 11 t0 49 years, who were participants were randomly selected from each community of study. The research Instrument used was a structured questionnaire. Out of the one hundred and ten copies administered, one hundred copies were retrieved which represent (90%) of the population. Ethical approval was sought from the National Open University of Nigeria, Ado-Ekiti. The respondents were verbally addressed, and confidentiality was assured.

 

 

3. RESULTS

Table1

Table 1 Socio-Demographic Data of Respondents
Variables	Frequencies (N=100)	Percentages (%)
AGE
≤ 19	5	5
20-29	34	34
30-39	51	51
40-49	6	6
≥50	4	4
RELIGION
Christianity	95	95
Islam	5	5
ETHNICITY
Yoruba	88	88
Igbo	8	8
Hausa	4	4
MARITAL STATUS
Single	88	88
Ever married	12	12
OCCUPATION
Student	84	84
Artisan	3	3
Self employed	4	4
Civil servant	6	6
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary	6	6
Secondary	25	25
Tertiary	69	69

 

Table 2

Table 2 Perception of Dysmenorrheal
Variable	Frequency (N=100)	Percentage (%)
Menstrual pain is hereditary
Yes	61	61
No	39	39
Main causes of menstrual pain
Excessive contraction of womb	30	30
Excessive sugar intake	57	57
Lack of personal hygiene	11	11
Others (it is normal)	2	2
Other causes of menstrual pain
Abnormality of the womb	18	18
Fibroid in the womb	18	18
Infection of the reproductive tract	42	42
Presence of uterine device	18	18
Others	4	4

Table 3

Table 3 Table Showing the Prevention of Menstrual Pain
Variable	Frequency (100)	Percentage (%)
Avoiding sugary fatty food	57	57
Taking drugs/ pain reliever	19	19
Adequate exercise	19	19
Taking enough food daily	3	3
Other (taking hot food/ drinks)	2	2
Total	100	100

 

4.  DISCUSSION

Respondents’ socio-demographic shows that 34% were from 20-29yrs, 51% were from 30-39yrs etc. They were mostly (95%) Christians and Yoruba’s (88%). Also 88% were single, 10% were married, and 84% were students with tertiary (65%) and secondary education (25%).

On the perception of dysmenorrheal, above average of the respondents believed that menstrual pain is hereditary, some believed that its indicates excessive contraction of the woman’s womb, due to excessive sugar intake (57%), and only 11% believed it is due to lack of personal hygiene. Other causes indicated were infection of the female reproductive system (42%), abnormally of the womb (18%) and presence of intrauterine device (18%). This is line with smeltzer and bare, (2008) which says dymenrrhoea is thought to results from excessive production of prostaglandin which causes painful uterine contraction and arteriolar vasospasms. However, the fact that 57% of the respondents said that excessive sugar intake is the causes of dymenorrhoea while11% said it is due to lack of personal hygiene indicate a greater level of ignorance, therefore, there is need for more information and adequate knowledge on causes of dymenorrhoea among females.

On the measures that help in preventing menstrual pain, 57% said avoiding sugary and fatty foods, taking enough fluid daily (3%) taking good nutrient e.g., vitamins and proteins (19%) and adequate exercises (19%). This is line with Morgan, (2009) which says very often a regular healthy lifestyle reduce and prevent the menstrual pain.

          

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the finding of this study, the following recommendations are made.

·        Parents should teach their female child on menstrual hygiene, prevention of unsafe sexual practices and seeking prompt adequate care when challenged health wise.

·        The health practitioners should organize seminars on dysmenorrhea and other reproductive health issues for young women in schools, (especially in the rural communities) through mass – media, lectures and is on in order to promote good reproductive health among females.

·        Government along with other non-governmental organizations should continue to promote education of the child and empower women so that they would be able to independently take proper cares of themselves.

 

 

 

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

REFERENCES

Bamidele, A.M. (2008). Pattern of infertility at ile-ife and Osogbo, Nigeria. Tropical Journal of reproductive health, 10(2), 5-7.

Dereck, A.M. (2010). Knowledge, attitude and consequences of menstrual Health in urban adolescent females. Journal of adolescent Health, 1(2), 546-548.

Dolly, E. (2008). African journal of reproductive Health, 12(1).

El-Gilany, A.h. et al. (2008). Menstrual hygiene among adolescent school in Mansoura, Egypt. Reproduction Health Matters, (15), 24-28. 

Fakeye, O. (2010). The characteristics of the menstrual cycle in Nigerian School girls and the implications for school health program, Nigeria.

Hacker, N. F. George, J. M. & Joseph, C. G. (2008). Essentials odf obstetrics and Gynecology. 4thEd. NewYork, Lippincot-Elseviers publishers.

Harel, Z. (2009). Dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and young adult : Etiology and management in England.

Harlow, S.D. (2008). A missed opportunity for improving reproductive health in developing countries.

Howard, J. (2004). Disturbances of the menstrual cycle. In : varma TR, ed. Clinical genecology. London, 3(4), 140-144.

Malcolm, C. (2007). Menarche and Menstruation problems among teenagers in Oslo, Norwegian. 

Morgan, R.O. (2009). The guide to the care of woman with disabilities. Philadelphia : United States of America.

Mustapha, R.O. (2008). The simplified Anatomy and Physiology with pathophysiology of the commonest Diseases. 1st Ed. Ilorin, Adewumi Printing Press. 

Walker, J. (2010). Level of knowledge among adolescent girls regarding effective treatment of dysmenorrhoea, 10(4), 140-144.