Survey study, 2003
How common is PMS and does it affect academic performance in university students in Ethiopia?
27% of students met diagnostic criteria for PMS or PMDD. About 14% frequently missed classes and 15% missed exams or got lower grades due to PMS symptoms. These academic impacts were significantly associated with symptom severity.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 242 randomly selected female students at Jimma University in Ethiopia, conducted in January 2002. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria to identify PMS and PMDD cases.
What they found
Nearly all participants (99.6%) had at least one premenstrual symptom during many menstrual cycles in the last 12 months. 27% met full DSM-IV criteria for PMS or PMDD. About 14% of students frequently missed classes because of premenstrual symptoms. About 15% missed exams or scored lower grades at least once due to symptoms. Missing classes and exam-related impacts were significantly associated with symptom severity.
What it means for you
PMS is very common in this student population and significantly affects academic performance. However, this study was conducted only in Ethiopia at one university, so findings may not apply in other countries or settings. Results rely on self-reported symptoms rather than clinical assessment.
27%
Prevalence of PMS or PMDD
14%
Frequently missed classes
15%
Missed exams or got lower grades
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrom: prevalence and effect on academic and social performances of students in Jimma University, Ethiopia
- Authors
- Addis Tenkir, Nebreed Fisseha, Biniyam Alemayehu Ayele
- Journal
- Ethiopian Journal of Health Development
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 242
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational study using a questionnaire to identify PMS cases and assess their impact on academic performance.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4314/ejhd.v17i3.9838
Topics
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