RESUMEN
Objective: To determine the prevalence, predictors and outcome of dysmenorrhea among female medical students in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 medical students at KAU, Jeddah selected through stratified random sample method. A pre-constructed, validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and socio-demographic information. Data about menstrual history, stress, smoking were also collected. The severity of dysmenorrhea was scored by the "Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]". Descriptive and analytical statistics were conducted
Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 60.9%. Logistic regression showed that heavy period was the first predictor of dysmenorrhea [aOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.29- 2.91], followed by stress [aOR=1.90; 95% C.I.: 1.19-3.07]. The prevalence of severe dysmenorrhea among the sufferers was 38.6%. Depressed mood was the commonest [80.8%] symptom accompanying dysmenorrhea. Regarding the outcome of dysmenorrhea, 67.5% of the sufferes reported emotional instability, while 28.3% reported absenteeism from the university
Conclusions: A high prevalence of dysmenorrhea was prevalent among medical students in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Health promotion, screening programs, and stress management courses are recommended