How common is PMDD in female health science students and what factors cause it?

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is also called late luteal phase dysphoric disorder. The syndrome involves mood symptoms, behavior symptoms and physical symptoms. This pattern of symptoms occurs at a specific time during the menstrual cycle, and the symptoms resolve for some period of time between menstrual cycles. It is one of the most common problems in female students of higher education institution that impaired academic performance and professional and interpersonal relationships. The main objective f this study is to assess Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and associated factors among Female health science students in Wollo University, east Amhara, Ethiopia, 2016/17. Methods: The study was conducted from January 1-15, 2017 involving 254 regular health science students were involved from college of medicine & health science, Wollo University. Institution based cross sectional study design was used. Systematic random sampling technique was utilized. Data were collected through interviewer administered standardized and pretested questionnaires. The collected data were presented in tables, graph & chart. Association between dependent and independent variable were tested using logistic regression model of SPSS version 20. Variables that have P -value less than 0.25 at bivarate analysis were entered to multivariate analysis model. Finally those variables which had P-value of < 0.05 were considered as having statistically significant association with the dependent variables. Result: The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in this study was 66.9%. Degree of dysmenorhea was found to have statistically significant association with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Students who had mild grade of dysmenorhea were less likely to have PMDD as compared with those students who had severe dysmenorhea (AOR = 0.13 at 95%CI (0.03-0.58). About 139 (61.8%) of female student reported that frequent class missing and low grade were occurred due to menstrual disorder. Conclusion: The Prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder was highest as compared to other similar studies done in other countries. The factor associated with premenstrual dyphoric disorder was grade of dysmenorhoea. In order to tackle this problem, collaborative efforts should be taken.

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