Dysmenorrhea and menstrual patterns among adolescent school girls in Kano

Background: Dysmenorrhea is a periodic cramping lower abdominal pain which occurs at menstruation. It could be primary when there is no organic basis and secondary when its due to underlying pelvic pathology. The primary dysmenorrhea frequently begins during adolescence. Abnormal menstrual patterns can also be encountered among adolescent. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the rate of dysmenorrhea and menstrual patterns among adolescent school girls. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was carried out among female adolescent girls in three secondary schools at Kano. Approval for the study was obtained from Kano State Ministry of Health. Consent/assent was obtained from all the participants/guardians. Information on dysmenorrhea and menstrual patterns was recorded on a pretested structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Version 19, Statistics (SPSS Inc., IL, Chicago, USA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean menstrual cycle ± standard deviation was 27.5 ± 8.76 days. Up to 52 (25%) of the adolescent girls have a 28-day menstrual cycle. The average duration of menstrual flow was 4.9 ± 1.51. The amount of blood flow was normal in 177 (81.6%), scanty/light in 21 (9.7%), and heavy in 19 (8.7%) of the adolescent school girls. The menstrual cycle was regular in 194 (89%) adolescent girls. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea and metrorrhagia was 42.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrheal (42.5%) was high in the study. About one-quarter of the adolescent girls had a cycle length of 28 days. The average duration of flow was 4.9 ± 5.1 days with a normal amount of blood flow and regular menses in more than 80% of the adolescent school girls. There was a statistically significant association between heavy menstruation and dysmenorrhea (P < 0.005).