Prevalence of menstrual symptoms change and influencing factors among international female students studying in china during acculturation period

Abstract

Background A number of previous studies have explored international students’ adaptation process with regards to language, lifestyle, food, and environment. However, there have yet been no studies conducted to address the menstrual symptoms challenges faced by international female students during the acculturation period. Thus, this study aims to describe the prevalence of menstrual symptoms change and to explore the influencing factors among international female students studying in China during the acculturation period. Methods An online cross sectional study was conducted among international female students studying in China during the acculturation period (defined as the first six months of living in the host country) in Hunan Province of China from March 2019 to July 2019. Menstrual symptoms questionnaire, sociocultural adaptation scale, China higher education student satisfaction scale, perceived stress scale, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were used for data collection. Descriptive analysis, ANOVA, paired t-test, Pearson correlation, and multivariate linear regressions were used to analyze the data using SPSS 21.0 software. Results Three hundred and forty-five (97.18%, 345/355) female students from 45 countries fully completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was (26.59 ± 6.439) years. In total, 18.49% of participants had encountered menstrual symptoms change. There were significant differences in the menstrual symptoms score between before arrival and evaluation during the first six months of living in China (t = − 11.700, p = 0.000). The main menstrual symptoms change included cramps (17.68%), irritation (14.78%), abdominal pain (12.46%), fatigue (12.46%), and headaches (9.85%). Cultural adaptation level (β = 0.198, 95% CI: 0.934, 2.995), sleep quality (β = 0.166, 95% CI: 0.112, 0.496), perceived stress (β = 0.193, 95% CI: 0.123, 0.410), time spent in the host environment, (β = − 0.270, 95% CI: − 3.200, − 1.444) and experience of visiting foreign countries (β = 0.184, 95% CI: 1.134, 4.125) were significantly correlated with menstrual symptoms change. Conclusion The prevalence of menstrual symptoms change among international female students should not be overlooked when considering menstrual health in this population. Poorer cultural adaptation, poorer sleep quality, higher stress, and lack of overseas living experiences significantly influence the menstrual symptoms of international female students studying in China.

Impact of traditional Chinese Baduanjin exercise on menstrual health among international female students studying in China: a randomized controlled trial

“…Previous studies found that menstrual irregularities occurred among the women after they relocated to a new country ( 9 – 11 ). Our team's previous study also reported that 18.49% of international female students experienced a change in their menstrual symptoms after arriving in China ( 6 ). Generally, mild menstrual symptoms do not affect women's life or work ( 12 ).…”

“…Studying in a foreign country involves a process of acculturation, which can affect the social and psychological wellbeing of international students ( 3 ). Although many studies have examined the consequences of acculturation for international students, such as culture shock, psychological distress, anxiety, and withdrawal behaviors in seeking help ( 4 , 5 ), only a few have focused on the international students' menstrual health disturbances caused by the acculturation ( 6 ).…”

The cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the menstrual symptom questionnaire (MSQ) among Chinese women of reproductive age

“…This questionnaire was developed by Chesney and Tasto in 1975 and is suitable for the general assessment of menstrual symptoms [ 2 , 27 , 28 , 46 ]. This questionnaire employs a 5-point rating scale, ranging from never, rarely, sometimes, often, and always, with scores of 1–5 assigned to each respective response.…”

“…Menstruation is an physiological event experienced by women. Based on a global survey, the prevalence of menstrual symptoms among women worldwide ranges from 17% to 90%, with these symptoms comprising primarily physical symptoms (bleeding, pain, and other chronic physical illnesses in different parts of the body such as diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, vomiting, dizziness, and others [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] ]) and psychological symptoms (menstrual-related mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, loss of interest in most activities, and others [ [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ]).…”

The experiences of menstrual symptom changes among international students studying in China during the acculturation period: A phenomenology study

“…To the best of our knowledge and according to our search results among the published studies through the international databases, we found only our previous cross-sectional survey, conducted among 345 international female students in Hunan province. We showed that 18.49% reported menstrual symptom changes [ 24 ]. In contrast, rare studies focused on this phenomenon and have reported changes in menstruation due to acculturation without specifying precise data and in the general population, not limited to international students [ [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ].…”