Shazia Shukar-ud Din.
Awareness of Menstrual Pattern and Disorders in Adolescent Females.
J Surg Pak Jan ;19(4):150-3.

Objective: To determine the level of awareness of adolescent females about the menstrual pattern / problems and their understanding about its treatment. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Place & Duration of study: This study was conducted at the Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Dow University Hospital Ojha Campus Karachi, from February 2011 to February 2012. Methodology: Adolescent girls, who came as attendants with their patients, were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to determine age, socioeconomic status, educational status, age of menarche, menstrual pattern, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia and consultation for menstrual problems. Results: A total of 222 adolescents were included in the study. Mean age of the participants was 16.5 year. Mean age of menarche was 15 year. Out of 222 participants 57% of girls had normal cycle duration. Heavy bleeding was reported in 23%. Of the total, 57% participants had duration of flow between 3 to 6 days, and 74% experienced dysmenorrhea. Daily activities and academic activities were affected in 69.4% and 73% of the subjects respectively. In this study statistically significant relation was found between age and dysmenorrhea (p=0.004). Out of the total, 63% participants believed in home remedies, 77% in advice from family members and 34.7% on self-medication. 61% participants considered the menstrual abnormality as problem. Around 42% participants were aware of medical treatment and 80% participants did not have knowledge of menstrual abnormality, which had statistically significant relation with the age of the participant (p=value of 0.001). Conclusions: Menstrual problems among adolescent female were common. Lack of knowledge and awareness demands health education on puberty and menstrual problems.

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