Primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors among female adolescents in Jinka town, Southern Ethiopia, 2024

Primary dysmenorrhea is a major public health problem and the commonest cause of morbidity in reproductive age women. It affects the quality of life of adolescent girls causing decreased academic performance and productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of Primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors among female adolescents in Jinka Town. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 30–August 20, 2024. Census was conducted to identify all eligible participants and simple random sampling technique was used to select 562 female adolescents. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using binary and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 71.5% with 95% CI (68.0–75.0%), Family history of dysmenorrhea AOR = 1.81 (95% CI (1.15–2.83), having premenstrual syndrome (AOR = 3.13 (95% CI (1.97–4.98)), sleeping ≤ 6 h per day (AOR = 2.73 (95% CI (1.23–6.03)), heavy menstrual periods AOR = 3.35 (95% CI (1.5–7.38)), skipping breakfast (AOR = 3.26 (95% CI (1.31–8.11)) and history of female genital mutilation AOR = 2.97 (95% CI (1.47–6.03)) had statistically significant association with the primary dysmenorrhea. This study found a high prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea. The factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea were family history of dysmenorrhea, the presence of premenstrual syndrome, skipping breakfast, sleeping ≤ 6 h per day, heavy menstrual flow, and history of female genital mutilation. Thus, efforts to prevent primary dysmenorrhea should focus on health education for adolescents and parents on modifiable lifestyle factors such as eating habitual meals regularly, getting adequate rest, and avoiding female genital mutilation.