A cross-sectional study: prevalence of irregular menstruation according to socioeconomic and nutritional status, in female population of Meghalaya

Abstract Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process and the factors which contribute to irregular menstruation are like hormonal imbalance, stress, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovarian disease, obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases including environmental, behavioral and nutritional factors affecting the quality of life of reproductive age group among females. This study was conducted to find out the rudimentary cause of irregular menstruation in relation to socioeconomic status and body mass index (BMI) among the females of Meghalaya. Socioeconomic status was measured in terms of literacy rate and household income of the individual and BMI in terms of nutritional status which helped in determining the prevalence of irregular menstruation in female population of Meghalaya. Irregular menstruation was prevalent among adult women and appeared to be associated with socioeconomic status, especially in terms of education and household income. This study’s findings suggest that attention must be paid to women with low educational levels or high household incomes, to ensure early diagnosis and the provision of medical attention for irregular menstruation. Methodology: The Study has been done in 100 females, enrolled from the OPDs of Department of Obst and Gynae of NEIAH and NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya. The dimensions measured were height, weight, mid-arm circumference, waist circumference. The B.M.I was calculated (Kg/m 2). Using a questionnaire, socio-economic profile of the participants was collected by personal interview. The data were checked for normality before statistical analysis using Kolmogorov Simonov test. The unpaired t test (for quantitative data to compare two independent observations) was applied. The chi square test was used for qualitative data comparison of all clinical indicators. Level of significance was set at P≤0.05. Observations: There was marked relation found between height (p value-0.003), socioeconomic status (p value-0.03) and the menstrual irregularity. Significant p values for these parameters confirm the relation. In 57 percent of the cases, menses were found to be irregular without any hormonal disturbances. There was not much significance found in relation between age and irregular menstruation. Mid –arm circumference was not found to be significant for irregularity. But Waist circumference has marked relation with the menses irregularity (p value- 0.03). Menses irregularity has marked relation with the weight of the participant, as evident from the significant p value (0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, we observed a marked relation between irregular menstruation and height, weight, waist circumference. Further, there was marked relation between high socioeconomic status and menstrual irregularity.