Background: Almost a quarter of India's population comprises of girls below 20 years and dysmenorrhea is a common problem among them. The magnitude of this problem is not clearly known in India.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence and impact of dysmenorrhea and its associated symptoms among adolescent girls residing in slum areas of Vadodara city, Gujarat.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study, a part of field training of third-year medical students where adolescent girls (1419 years) who experienced menarche for minimum of 1 year at the time of the study, residing in slum areas of Vadodara city were selected purposively and enrolled a sample of 100 adolescent girls. For compiling data, pretested oral questionnaire was used after obtaining written consent from the participants.
Result: Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 75%, which is significantly higher among the girls with family history of dysmenorrhea. School absenteeism in 65%, decreased school performance in 56%, adverse effect on daily routine in 73%, and affected social relations in 64%. Prevalence of associated menstrual symptoms 57% in which most common physical and psychological symptom was lower abdominal pain (42%), and emotional instability (46%), respectively. For relief, only 5% girls consulted the doctor, 28% girls resorted to self-medications whereas almost 65% girls resorted to self-help techniques such as rest and home remedies (e.g., hot fomentation and eating fenugreek).
Conclusion: Considering higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea, education on reproductive organs and reproduction to the young girls in their important phase of life is needed to prevent unnecessary suffering and interruptions in their education and daily life.
Key words: Adolescent girls, associated symptoms, primary dysmenorrhea, slum population
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