PREVALENCE OF DYSMENORRHOEA, AND ITS IMPACT ON ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADLS) AMONG NURSING PERSONNEL.

INTRODUCTION: Menstrual cycle is the cyclical shedding of endometrium every 28±7 days in response to hormones. Dysmenorrhea is one of the commonest problems among the menstruating females. Dysmenorrhoea is defined as symptoms associated with menstruation, such as abdominal pain, cramping, backache that interfere with activities of daily living Dysmenorrhoea has been found to result in marked reduction in quality of life among females of reproductive age. AIM: The aim of study was to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, to compare the severity, and to determine the impact of dysmenorrhea on Activity of Daily Living (ADLs) among married and unmarried nursing personnel. MATERIALS & METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Multi-stage sampling was done to find out the subjects having dysmenorrhoea among nursing personnel under study. Socio demographic data, menstrual history of subjects, history of dysmenorrhea was documented using an interview schedule. Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale was used to know the impact of dysmenorrhoea on activities of daily living of the study subjects. 805 nursing personnel were surveyed and 651 were found to be menstruating. 263 were found to be having dysmenorrhoea. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dysmenorrhoea among the subjects was 40.39% (43% in married and 57% in unmarried subjects). Around half (46%) subjects (both married and unmarried) were able to do their ADL during dysmenorrhoea independently, 16% were partially dependent and 38% were totally dependent. Severe pain during dysmenorrhoea was experienced by 32.4% subjects. About half (50.2%) subjects were using pharmacological treatment. Non pharmacological management such as hot fomentation, rest, jaggery and saunth was used by 27% subjects, of which around two third were using hot fomentation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea is lower in married as compared to unmarried women. More than half described their dysmenorrhoea as moderate and severe. Dysmenorrhoea related symptoms have negative impact on quality of life, Activity of Daily Living and can make women depend on others for her ADLs. Dysmenorrhoea is one of cause of avoiding work, leave from duty and social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]