Does PMS affect how well nurses perform at work?

Background: The relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and job performance is a subject of growing interest, particularly in high-stress environments like critical care nursing. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can significantly affect the well-being of individuals, with potential implications for their daily functioning. Critical care nurses, tasked with demanding responsibilities, operate in a high-pressure environment where job performance is of utmost importance. Understanding the potential association between PMS and the job performance of these nurses at tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar is essential to enhance both the nurses' working conditions and the quality of care they provide to patients. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the association between premenstrual syndrome and job performance among nurses working in tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar. Methods: A correlational study was conducted to achieve the objective. A well-validated questionnaire tool and purposive sampling technique were employed. The total population for this study was 346 nurses from three tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar: 240 participants from Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), 58 from Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), and 48 from Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC). The sample size was calculated using Rao soft software, resulting in a required sample size of 183. Accordingly, 127 participants were selected from LRH, 31 from KTH, and 25 from HMC. Data collection tools included demographic information, general knowledge, menstrual characteristics, symptoms during premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and job performance assessments. Data analysis involved calculating frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations using SPSS version 25.0. Pearson correlation tests were used to examine the association between PMS and job performance, with graphical representations for descriptive statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from relevant authorities, and the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki principles. Results: The majority of participants were in the age range of 26 to 30 years (55.7%). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between PMS and job performance (r=0.298, p<0.01). The correlation analysis also showed a significant negative correlation between PMS and marital status (r=0.191, p=0.01). The sample consisted predominantly of nurses with post-RN qualifications (48.6%), and 60.1% were unmarried. The findings suggest that as PMS symptoms increase, job performance tends to decrease. Conclusion: This study delved into the association between Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and job performance among critical care nurses, revealing a significant relationship between the two. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing the potential impact of PMS on the professional lives of critical care nurses and highlight the need for further attention and support in this regard. As healthcare institutions strive to optimize the well-being and productivity of their nursing staff, this study adds a crucial dimension to understanding the factors influencing job performance. Interventions and strategies can be tailored to address the challenges posed by PMS, ultimately fostering a more conducive work environment and enhancing the overall quality of patient care.

Reproduced under CC-BY.