Survey study, 2022
What are the most common PMS symptoms and coping strategies in female students?
The most common symptoms were mood swings (77.7%), irritability, fatigue, and breast tenderness. Most students coped by resting, sleeping, or accepting it as natural, but 88.3% had poor health-seeking behavior.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 310 female students from 4 departments at one university in Nigeria. Participants completed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
What they found
Mood swings were reported by 240 (77.7%), irritability by 184 (59.5%), fatigue by 181 (59.5%), and breast tenderness by 171 (55.3%). For coping, 206 (66.9%) used resting, 200 (64.7%) used sleeping, and 148 (47.9%) coped by accepting it as natural. 273 (88.3%) had poor health-seeking behavior. 241 (78.0%) experienced low degree and 206 (66.7%) experienced moderate degree of syndrome.
What it means for you
Most female students in this setting experience mild to moderate PMS. The main practical coping methods are rest and sleep. However, nearly 9 in 10 do not seek medical help. The study recommends active coping like exercise and breathing techniques. Main limit: this is one university in Nigeria, so results may not apply elsewhere.
240 (77.7%)
reported mood swings
206 (66.9%)
coped by resting
273 (88.3%)
had poor health-seeking behavior
About the study
- Original title
- Assessment of Premenstrual Syndrome and Coping Strategies among Female Students of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
- Authors
- Christie Akpoigho Enuku, Nwankwo Clementina Ukamaka
- Journal
- Bayero Journal of Nursing and Health Care
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None; this was an observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4314/bjnhc.v4i1.2
Topics
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