Perceived Risk Factors of Dysmenorrhea among Female Undergraduates in University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Dysmenorrrhea is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism among female undergraduates in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Therefore, the study investigated the perceived risk factors of dysmenorrhea among female undergraduates in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type was used for the study. Population for this study comprised of female undergraduates in the University of Ilorin for 2018/2019 academic session. Multi-stage sampling technique of simple, proportionate, purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 263 respondents that participated in the study. The researcher developed a questionnaire which was validated by 3 experts from the field of health educator and community medicine was used for the study. Degree of consistency of the instrument used for the study was confirmed through test-re-test approach and result of r = 0.82 obtained. Non-parametric statistics of Chi-square was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of the study indicated that stress and high intake of sugar were risk factors for dysmenorrhea among female undergraduates in the University of Ilorin (Chi- square value of 83.45, p = 0.000 with 9 df, (Chi- square value of 64.06, p = 0.001 with 9 df). The researchers concluded that the inability to manage stress among female undergraduates and high intake of foods containing excessive sugar were risk factors of dysmenorrhea among female undergraduates at the University of Ilorin. The researchers recommended that the school authority management should organize stress seminars and campaigns to help address stress problems experienced by female undergraduates in the University of Ilorin. Also, the university authority should organize enlightenment campaigns that will educate undergraduates on the risks involved in the consumption of unhealthy foods which contain excessive sugar such as biscuits or snacks to reduce pains experienced by female undergraduates in the University of Ilorin, during the menstrual period.

Keywords: Risk Factors; Dysmenorrhea; Stress; Female; Undergraduates