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Information on self-reported physical activity (PA) level in association with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is not readily available on African populations, and there is a dearth of information on the association of adiposity with PD. This study explored the association of PA and adiposity indices with PD and associated menstrual pain. This cross-sectional study involved 1383 female adolescents from 12 randomly selected secondary schools (9 private and 3 public schools). They were categorized into <1 hour/day or > or = 1 hour/day of PA based on their reported average duration of PA per day. The adiposity [body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)] was assessed using standardized procedures. Majority of participants (85.4%) in this study sample reported experiencing PD. More participants without PD engaged in PA for more than one hour daily than those with PD (Chi(2) = 11.49; p = 0.001). The participants with PD experienced menstrual pain mostly (55.1%) during menstruation and the mostly reported pain intensity was moderate (38.7%). Majority of those (80.5%) who had menstrual pain did not report using medication for the pain. 77.0% of those who used medication reported having pain relief. Waist circumference, BMI and PA level showed no independent association (p > 0.05) with either PD or its pain intensity experienced among the adolescents. PA level and adiposity are not associated with PD in school adolescents.

Objective: To examine menstrual patterns and effects of menstrual disorders on social and academic lives of undergraduate students in Kano, Nigeria., Participants: Students attending Bayero University Kano, Nigeria (n = 383)., Intervention: Self-administered questionnaires., Main Outcome Measures: Sociodemographic characteristics, menstrual patterns, and associated symptoms were elicited. Treatment-seeking behavior and effects of symptoms on academic and social activities were ascertained., Results: The mean age at menarche was 13.7 ± 1.68 years. Menstrual bleeding lasted an average of 5.2 ± 1.6 days. Cycle length was 21-35 days in 92% of cases (n = 353). Approximately 72% of respondents reported dysmenorrhea. After adjusting for confounding, age at menarche, menstrual cycle length, duration of menstrual bleeding and use of contraceptive pills remained significant predictors of dysmenorrhea. Menstrual disorders interfered with social and academic life of 91% and 84% of respondents respectively., Conclusions: Gynecologic morbidity related to menstruation is common among adolescent Nigerians and is associated with detrimental effects on academic and social activities. Student health services should prioritize measures to mitigate the social and physical impact of menstrual disorders in young women., (Copyright © 2012 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dysmenorrhea is a problem that girls and women face and often manage themselves with or without support from health professionals. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among adolescents with dysmenorrhea (N = 150) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The aims of the study were to determine their knowledge of menstruation and primary dysmenorrhea, assess the severity of pain they experienced during an episode of primary dysmenorrhea, and determine the management strategies they adopted. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings revealed the adolescents had a knowledge deficit regarding menstruation and dysmenorrhea, 58% of respondents reported pain between face 4 and face 10 on the Faces Pain Scale and the majority used inappropriate methods to manage primary dysmenorrhea. School nurses are able to assist adolescents and their mothers in proper management of primary dysmenorrhea.

Menstrual disorder is a common health problem among females in their reproductive years. It has psychosocial effects on the sufferer and her interactions with others during such periods. In Nigeria, menstrual disorder has received little research attention especially in the public health agenda. This study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches in investigating the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia and their psychosocial effects by focusing on the daily activities of female undergraduates at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 415 female undergraduates at the University. A snowball sampling technique was used in selecting 37 informants for the in-depth interviews. Results showed a high prevalence of dysmenorrhoea (64%) among respondents within 3 months prior to this study. Dysmenorrhoea was significant among female students who reported dizziness, headache, depression and irritation; and those whose menstrual disorder ever called for medical attention (P < 0.05). Similarly, menorrhagia was less frequent-(21%) than dysmenorrhoea (64%), but occurred more significantly with dizziness, headache and depression, and those whose menstrual disorderliness ever called for medical attention or even surgical intervention (P<0.05). Menstrual disorder was experienced as an objective and subjective reality among those interviewed. Both dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia were significant predictors of psychosocial relationship of the female students (P < 0.05). Those with dysmenorrhoea reported one and a half times of depression than those without. However, menorrhagia appeared as the principal factor affecting their daily school activities and relationship with colleagues. Menstrual disorders prevalence is high among young undergraduates and appropriate enlightenment and treatment should be made available to young females.

Background: We determined the prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and associated factors amongst undergraduates in a Nigerian university. Information on dysmenorrhoea amongst Nigerian populace is limited as it is seen as a norm and hence unreported. This is in spite of its consequences on women's socio-economic lives., Method: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study. Cluster sampling technique was used and tests of statistical significance were done using Yates corrected Chi square., Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea in this study was 76.3%. The mean age at menarche was 13.8 years. Dysmenorrhoea occurred at menarche in 36.9% respondents. Primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea was reported by 40.6% and 16.3% respondents respectively. Fifty one point nine per cent (51.9%) had painful expectation of dysmenorrhoea. Having a sister with dysmenorrhoea did not have a statistically significant influence on expectation of dysmenorrhoea (CI 95%; P value: 0.76). Normal activity was affected by dysmenorrhoea in 35% of respondents while 68% of those with dysmenorrhoea did not seek help. Hospital admission solely for dysmenorrhoea was reported by 6.9% of respondents. Commonly associated symptoms with dysmenorrhoea were mood changes (59.4%) and pimples (53.1%)., Conclusion: The high proportion of women not seeking help for dysmenorrhoea in this study may reflect the attitude of the larger society to the condition. Education to improve women's knowledge of and attitude to dysmenorrhoea is recommended.

Background: Disturbances of menstrual function are the commonest complaints among adolescents. Disorders of menstruation may have implications for future reproductive health., Objective: To assess menstrual patterns among school girls in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria., Methods: This was cross-sectional descriptive study in which 1,213 apparently healthy school girls were selected by multistage sampling technique in fifteen secondary schools from the five local governments within the metropolis. Information about details of menstrual experience was obtained with a self-administered questionnaire., Results: The girls were aged between 9 and 23 years. Majority of respondents 768 (633%) experienced normal cycle length, 391 (32.2%) had short cycles; and 55 (4.5%) had cycle length greater than 35 days. Prevalence of normal cycles increased with increasing age; abnormalities of cycle length tended to decrease with increasing age (p < 0.01). The majority, 1,152 (95%), had normal menstrual loss. The majority 882 (72.7%) experienced dysmenorrhoea; severe dysmenorrhoea was reported by 154 (12.7%). Cycle length was not associated with presence of dysmenorrhoea (p > 0.05); 695 (57.3%) had symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome., Conclusion: Prevalence of menstrual abnormalities among adolescent schoolgirls is high. More attention should be paid to identify and treat these menstrual morbidities.

The study assessed first year students in a Nigerian university (n = 409) for dysmenorrhea. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 53.3% and most students experienced pain at onset of menses. About half of the students reported that menstrual pain interferes with their normal daily activity. The independent predictors of dysmenorhea were longer days of menstrual flow, younger age at menarche and lower scores on extraversion scale. College health-care providers should screen routinely for dysmenorrhea among students and offer treatment. As dysmenorrhea reportedly affects school performance and attendance, more attention should be devoted to providing health education on this topic to students.

Four Hundred and fifteen post menarcheal secondary school girls selected randomly from six secondary schools in Maiduguri metropolis were interviewed with the aid of questionnaires to find out their ages at menarche and associated menstrual problems, regularity of menstrual cycle, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea within the first two years following menarche. Their ages ranged between 12 and 21 years. Twenty six students were three months post menarche, 187 were 4-12 months post menarche.'The mean menarcheal age was 13.6 years. Menorrhagia was a very rare form of menstrual abnormality. Early menarche especially between the ages of 12 to 14 years was found to be associated with higher frequency of irregular menstrual cycles while this improves with late onset menarche. About 45% had one form of menstrual abnormality, amenorrhoea (4.6%), oligomenorrhoea (18%) and polymenorrhoea (21%). These were almost uniformly associated with all groups. Over 80% had attained menarche by age of 14 years. Dysmenorrhoea was just slightly commoner by the ages of 15 and 16 years when it occurs more frequently.

Questionnaires and interviews with 768 female students in residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria revealed that the mean and median ages of menarche were respectively 13.4 +/- 1.4 and 13.5 years and 80.8% had menstrual cycles between 25 and 35 days. The duration of menstrual bleeding was 4.5 +/- 0.8 days; 72.3% had dysmenorrhea and 17.8% complained of nausea and vomiting during menstruation.

Menstrual function was assessed in 475 Nigerian athletes in different sports and 606 non-athletes. In general, irregular menstrual cycles and oligomenorrhoea or secondary amenorrhoea (O/A) were more common in the athletes (26% and 21%, respectively) than in the non-athletes (18% and 8%, respectively). Menstruation was more regular and normal in the non-athletes (50%) than in the athletes (22%). It was noted that menstrual dysfunction in the athletes was associated with significantly low body fat, body weight, relative weight for height, and the stress of sports activity. In the groups of athletes the ball game players (35%) and distance runners (51%) most commonly experienced O/A, whereas the incidence of dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia was most prevalent in the swimmers (37%), and sprinters (42%). Menstrual disturbances were relatively more common in athletes who began training before the menarche (43%).