Prevalence of prementrual syndrome and coping strategies among school girls

Abstract

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), also called premenstrual Tension (PMT), is a psychosomatic reproductive health problem affecting women .It is a significant source of physical and psychological morbidities among school girls . It has been associated with school and lecture absenteeism, poor academic performance, substance abuse, relationship problems and poor quality of life. Some conditions do not kill but they can last long enough to disrupt lifestyle and affect overall general health. The study investigated; the prevalence of PMS and the strategies used to cope with it among secondary school girls in Zaria, Kaduna State , Nigeria. Participants were 187 junior and senior secondary school students selected through stratified random sampling technique from both private and government secondary schools in Zaria. More than 64 percent of the participants were within the age bracket of 15-18years. Questionnaires assessing PMS, coping strategies and socio-demographic characteristics were administered to the participants. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software. Results indicate that PMS was highly prevalent (69.5 percent) among participants. A total of 35.4 percent of them had moderate to severe P M S while 34.1 percent had very severe symptoms. Data also revealed that the participants majorly used passive coping strategies to deal with their PMS. More active behavioural coping strategies were recommended to reduce distress and improve quality of life.