Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its impact on quality of life among female undergraduates of basic medical sciences.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition that significantly affects the physical, emotional, and academic functioning of young women. This study investigated the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its impact on quality of life among female undergraduates in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and study conducted between January and February 2025. Using stratified random sampling, 229 female students from the Departments of Anatomy and Physiology participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire incorporating the Women’s Assessment of Life with Dysmenorrhea (WaLIDD) Score and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with Chi-square tests used to examine associations between dysmenorrhea severity and quality-of-life domains at p ≤ 0.05Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 95%, with 60% reporting moderate symptoms and 10% severe symptoms. Most respondents experienced pain lasting one to two days, commonly localized to a single site. Significant associations were found between dysmenorrhea severity and several quality-of-life domains, including physical functioning, role limitations (physical and emotional), pain, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and emotional well-being (p < 0.05). However, general health perception was not significantly associated with severity (p > 0.05). Dysmenorrhea substantially limited vigorous activities, reduced social participation, and negatively influenced academic productivity. Common coping strategies included analgesic use, rest, heat application, and exercise. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and exerts considerable negative effects on multiple domains of quality of life among female undergraduates. Institutional support systems, menstrual health education, and integrated pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are recommended to mitigate its impact and enhance students’ well-being and academic performance. Keywords: Dysmenorrhea, Prevalence, Quality of Life, Female Undergraduates, Academic Performance, Menstrual Pain, WaLIDD Score, SF-36