Premenstrual syndrom: prevalence and effect on academic and social performances of students in Jimma University, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a serious problem affecting a woman's health. It affects educated women more that non-educated women. Although it has been widely studied in many countries, little, if any, is known about PMS in Ethiopia. Objective: the main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of PMS and its effect on the academic and social performances of students of Jimma University (JU). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 242 randomly selected female students of JU in Jan. 2002. A structured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was employed for data collection. The criteria proposed by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) were used to diagnose PMS. Results: The age of participants ranged from 17 to 38 years, with mean & median age of 20.3 & 20 years, respectively. Almost all (99.6%) had at least one premenstrual (PM) symptom in many of the menstrual cycles in the last 12 months. The prevalence of PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (according to DSM-IV) was 27%. About 14% of the study participants frequently missed classes and 15% missed examinations or scored a lower grade at least once because of PM symptoms. Both were significantly associated with severity of symptoms (