Menstrual Disorders in Adolescent School Girls in Enugu, Nigeria

Study ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, pattern of menstrual disorders, treatment practices, and the effect of menstrual disorders on school attendance in adolescent school girls in Enugu, Nigeria.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingRandomly selected secondary schools.ParticipantsPostmenarcheal adolescent school girls aged 10–19 years.MethodologyPretested, semi-structured questionnaires were used to survey 500 consenting students. The main outcome measures were menstrual disorders. Data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 15. Data was compared using chi-square test and P ≤ 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.ResultsFour hundred ninety-five students responded giving a response rate of 99%. The mean age of the girls was 14.9 ± 1.7 years. Most were Christians (99.2%) and their mean age of menarche was 12.7 ± 1.3 years. The prevalence of menstrual disorders was 69.4% and dysmenorrhea, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and short menstrual cycles were the commonest disorder. Being older, later age of menarche, and being domiciled in the boarding house were significantly associated with menstrual disorders (P < 0.05). Dysmenorrhea was responsible for the greatest number of school abscences. The mean days of school absenteeism was 1.8 ± 1.2. In 80% of cases paracetamol, aspirin, or piroxican were the drugs used for symptom relief. Only 16.3% of respondents ever consulted a doctor for their menstrual disorders.ConclusionThere was a high prevalence of menstrual disorders as well as a high rate of non-expert treatment of the disorders. This underscores the need for awareness creation. Parents and adolescents should consult trained practitioners when significant menstrual disorder occurs in order to rule out or treat associated or underlying medical conditions.