Perception and Healthcare seeking practices regarding dysmenorrhea among public secondary school students in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Dysmenorrhea is an important health problem which may have a negative impact on female health, school activities and psychological status. This study assessed the prevalence, knowledge, perception and healthcare seeking practices of dysmenorrhea among secondary school students in Lagos State, Nigeria. The pattern of management of dysmenorrhea among respondents was also assessed. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 420 adolescents in public secondary schools in Ikeja Local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Respondents were interviewed using a structured pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed with SPSS Version 22.0. The level of statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Mean ± SD age at menarche was 12.3±1.3 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea among respondents was 75.2%. About one-quarter 106(25.2%) had good knowledge and 209(49.8%) had good perception of dysmenorrhea. Only 10% had ever sought health care for dysmenorrhea. A statistically significant association was found between the knowledge of respondents and healthcare-seeking behavior towards dysmenorrhea (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high and majority of respondents had poor knowledge. Improving adolescents’ knowledge of dysmenorrhea through health education could positively influence their health care-seeking behavior.