Survey study, 1993
How common is premenstrual tension among nurses in Kenya?
Very common. 95.5 percent of 400 nurses studied reported premenstrual tension, with breast tenderness and bloating being the most frequent symptoms.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 400 nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi. They were interviewed using an investigator-administered questionnaire about premenstrual tension symptoms and their impact on daily life.
What they found
95.5 percent had premenstrual tension. The most common symptom was mastalgia (breast tenderness) at 79.0 percent, followed by abdominal bloating at 75.0 percent. Suicidal tendencies and insomnia were rare. Only 6.5 percent changed their activities during this period and only 3.1 percent used medication. Age, marital status, parity, and dysmenorrhoea showed no correlation with premenstrual tension.
What it means for you
Premenstrual tension is nearly universal in this group of nurses, but most did not consider it an illness. Since this is a single hospital in Kenya, findings may not apply to other countries or populations.
95.5%
Nurses with premenstrual tension
79.0%
With breast tenderness symptom
75.0%
With abdominal bloating symptom
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual tension among nurses in Nairobi, Kenya
- Authors
- Rupani NP, Lema VM
- Journal
- East African medical journal
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 400
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8306911/
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