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Living with the pain: Perceptions, coping mechanisms, and impacts of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescents
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Bayor Surazu *    , Asuuri Albert |
| Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Zuarungu, Upper East Region, Ghana , surajah92@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (39 Views) |
Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is the leading cause of gynecologic care-seeking among adolescent females worldwide. This study assessed the perceptions, coping strategies, and outcomes of primary dysmenorrhea among female adolescent students.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 305 female adolescents aged 14 to 19 years, systematically sampled from Tamale Girls Senior High School. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, incorporating the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) to evaluate demographics, illness representations, coping strategies, and dysmenorrhea outcomes. Data analysis utilized descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 21.
Results: Among participants (mean age 17.5 years), 55.7% reported severe primary dysmenorrhea pain, typically lasting two days. Most had low perceived control over their condition and did not seek care, often normalizing the pain or facing barriers such as shyness and financial constraints. Multiple regression analysis identified symptom identity (β=0.411, p<0.001), perceived consequences (β=0.223, p<0.001), and pharmacological coping (β=-0.132, p=0.014) as significant predictors of outcomes: higher symptom identity and consequence perception predicted worse outcomes, while greater use of pharmacological coping was linked to reduced negative effects.
Conclusion: Severe primary dysmenorrhea is prevalent among adolescent girls, adversely affecting emotional well-being and academic performance, yet care-seeking remains low due to cultural and financial obstacles. Targeted educational interventions and improved access to effective treatments are essential to mitigate its impact and support adolescent health. Stakeholders in health and education sectors should implement measures to promote the social and academic well-being of students affected by this condition. |
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| Keywords: Adolescent, Coping Skills, Dysmenorrhea, Female, Humans, Pain Perception |
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Full-Text [PDF 1245 kb]
(14 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Reproductive Health
Received: 2025/05/6 | Accepted: 2025/06/25 | Published: 2025/06/28
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