Primary Dysmenorrhoea: Prevalence and Knowledge assessment in 10 – 18-year-old Syrian female teenagers: A cross-sectional study with pre-post analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: Gynaecological complaints and primary dysmenorrhoea among young females are usually managed using popular myths, and have a wide spectrum of consequences on everyday life. Methods: A cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and basic knowledge, with a pre-post analysis after the intervention was applied. The study was carried in randomly selected female public schools in Damascus on a randomly selected sample of female students aging between 10 and 18 years old. We used a self-report questionnaire immediately before the awareness sessions and two weeks later. The questionnaire included multiple-choice questions on various aspects of the menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhoea and common myths in the Syrian society. The data were analyzed using SPSS ® , Microsoft Excel ® , and Microsoft Access ® software. Results: A total of 579 vs. 261 female students participated. The prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 87.2%. Only 47.3% of participants knew the correct origin of menstruation blood, and most of them did not consult a doctor regarding the pain (91.6%). The answers were weighed and compared, resulting in an insignificant p-value for the students’ knowledge after the awareness campaign (p = 0.687, CI = 95%). Discussion and conclusion: Dysmenorrhoea is highly prevalent among Syrian school students. The modest knowledge on this condition, the use of home remedies and the insignificant improvement after the sessions indicate the need to focus on creatively improving information delivery methods in a long sustainable timeframe.