Volume 12, Issue 1 (2-2026)
Caspian J Reprod Med 2026, 12(1): 48-55 |
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Surazu B, Ackon E D, Dodd E, Ansah E Z, Baidoo B B, Newman E A et al . Health-seeking behavior for dysmenorrhea among nursing and midwifery students in ghana: Patterns and associated factors. Caspian J Reprod Med 2026; 12 (1) :48-55
URL: http://caspjrm.ir/article-1-302-en.html
URL: http://caspjrm.ir/article-1-302-en.html
Bayor Surazu * 
, Ekuwa Dede Ackon , Esther Dodd , Edinam Zico Ansah , Barbara Baaba Baidoo , Ernestina Afro Newman , Mavis Oboh
, Ekuwa Dede Ackon , Esther Dodd , Edinam Zico Ansah , Barbara Baaba Baidoo , Ernestina Afro Newman , Mavis Oboh
Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Zuarungu, Ghana , Surajah92@gmail.com
Abstract: (26 Views)
Background: Dysmenorrhea is prevalent among young women, yet professional healthcare seeking remains suboptimal. This study evaluated healthcare-seeking behaviors and associated barriers among nursing and midwifery students who will serve as future healthcare providers.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 female nursing and midwifery students across three health-training institutions in Ghana, recruited via stratified random sampling. Data collected via pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression in SPSS v29.0. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (COR, AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results: Overall, 49.9% of participants had never sought medical care for dysmenorrhea. Key barriers included pain normalization, financial constraints, knowledge deficits, and fear of procedures. A composite knowledge and perception related barrier was significantly associated with healthcare-seeking behavior (χ² = 17.60, p < 0.001; AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.50–4.72). Financial barriers were significant in unadjusted analysis (COR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13–3.01; p = 0.013) but attenuated after adjustment was no longer statistically significant. Healthcare workers' perceived knowledge and attitudes were also significantly associated with care seeking (χ² = 3.44, p = 0.046).
Conclusion: Nearly half of the trainees did not seek care for dysmenorrhea, largely driven by symptom normalization and perceptual barriers. Educational interventions targeting pain misconceptions and clarifying clinical evaluation thresholds are warranted. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causality.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 female nursing and midwifery students across three health-training institutions in Ghana, recruited via stratified random sampling. Data collected via pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression in SPSS v29.0. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (COR, AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results: Overall, 49.9% of participants had never sought medical care for dysmenorrhea. Key barriers included pain normalization, financial constraints, knowledge deficits, and fear of procedures. A composite knowledge and perception related barrier was significantly associated with healthcare-seeking behavior (χ² = 17.60, p < 0.001; AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.50–4.72). Financial barriers were significant in unadjusted analysis (COR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13–3.01; p = 0.013) but attenuated after adjustment was no longer statistically significant. Healthcare workers' perceived knowledge and attitudes were also significantly associated with care seeking (χ² = 3.44, p = 0.046).
Conclusion: Nearly half of the trainees did not seek care for dysmenorrhea, largely driven by symptom normalization and perceptual barriers. Educational interventions targeting pain misconceptions and clarifying clinical evaluation thresholds are warranted. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causality.
Keywords: Dysmenorrhea, Ghana, Healthcare-seeking behavior, Menstrual health Midwifery students, Nursing students
Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Reproductive Health
Received: 2026/05/4 | Accepted: 2026/06/26 | Published: 2026/06/28
Received: 2026/05/4 | Accepted: 2026/06/26 | Published: 2026/06/28
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