DETERMINANTS OF DYSMENORRHEA AMONG ADOLESCENT FEMALE STUDENTS ATTENDING SECONDARY AND PREPARATORY SCHOOLS IN GEDEO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2019

ABSTRACT Background: Dysmenorrhea is a gynecological medical condition which characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. Approximately 10–15% of females experience monthly menstrual severe pain, enough to stop normal daily functions at work, home, or school. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of dysmenorrhea among adolescent female students attending high school and preparatory schools in Gedeo zone, southern Ethiopia, 2019. Method: School based unmatched case control study design was conducted to assess the determinants of dysmenorrhea among adolescent female students attending high school and preparatory school in Gedeo zone. Systematic sampling techniques were used to select 552 girls from eligible schools. Data was collected using pre tested structured questionnaires. Data entered into Epi Data software version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors at bivariate level and variables with p-value less than 0.25 at bivariate level were candidate for multivariate logistic regression. Multivariate analyses were used to filter significant association between dependent and independent variables at 95% confidence intervals. Result: A total of 552 participants (276 cases and 276 controls) were participated in this study. The mean ages of cases were 18.3 with +3.87years SD (standard deviation) and 16.8 with +1.45 years SD for controls. The factors that are significantly associated with dysmenorrhea were early adolescent [AOR = 2.21, 95% CI; (1.22-4.005)], having/ not having family history of dysmenorrhea [AOR = 4.479, 95%, CI; (2.654 - 7.560)], duration of menstrual flow =< 2 days [AOR = 2.14, 95% CI; (1.176 - 3.897)]; and smoking cigarette [AOR = 0.01, 95%, CI; (0.046 - 0.614)]. Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea is a significant symptom for women of reproductive age. It is one of the leading causes of absenteeism from school and work. Adolescent female students with early age of menarche, having family history of dysmenorrhea, and longer duration of menstrual flow, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarette and coffee consumption are more likely to experience dysmenorrhea. Based on this study finding, the school and health workers should give attention and educate to those particular vulnerable adolescents to improve their life style.