| dc.description.abstract | Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical, cognitive, affective and behavioral cyclically occurring symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The signs and symptoms which include; headache, fatigue, bloating, backache, breast tenderness, food cravings, anxiety, irritability, social withdrawal and depression(Abeje & Berhanu, 2019). Its etiology is associated with various hypotheses include biosocial and psychological causes, endocrinological dysfunctions, altered endorphin modulation of gonadotropic secretion, exercise habits, smoking, use of alcohol, altered trans-capillary fluid balance, oral contraceptive use, and a diet high in beef, refined sugar products or caffeine containing beverages(Rasheed & Al-Sowielem, 2003).There was a lot of information about PMS among other groups above 25years in Uganda and with comparison to the novice secondary school adolescents who may have no idea are more likely to be affected by the disorder as compared to other age groups.(JUMA, 2013).
Methods
The study was across-sectional study carried out using a quantitative research approach in which data was obtained from female students at Jinja Senior Secondary School (JSSS) aged 13-18 years.Registered female JSSS students aged 13-18 years with access to the mobile phones at the time of the study were included. Students with inadequate demographic data were excluded by receiving only lists of students with adequate demographic data. Students in candidate classes were excluded. Simple random sampling was used during participant enrollment into the study. The participants were accessed from their online platforms like WhatsApp, emails, of the clients or their parents. For the diagnosis of PMS, the screening tool (PMS-Q) was used (Steiner et al. 2003).
Results Participants had a mean age of 16.18 (SD 1.732) years with the youngest at 13 years and the oldest at 18 years. Majority of the respondents were of normal body weight 68 (66.7%) with only 4 (3.9%) respondents found to be obese. The average number of symptoms of PMS among respondents was 7 (SD 2.703). Only 1 (1.0%) participant repowered not to have ever had any PMS symptoms before.
The overall prevalence of PMS among female adolescents in Jinja district was 84 (82.4%). Only 18 (17.6%) of the respondents did not qualify for the diagnosis of PMS. PMS-A
Mood swings was the most prevalent PMS-A symptom with 60(58.8%) prevalence and57 (55.9%) experienced irritability 50 (49.0%) of the study participants experienced anxiety. PMS-C 60(58.8%) with 55(53.9%) of the study population experiencing headache. PMS-D
The most prevalent symptom was insomnia with 58(43.1%) PMS-H The most prevalent symptom was breast tenderness 56(54.9%).Other symptoms reported by participants were backache 36(35.3%), diarrhea 29(28.4%), weakness 22(21.6%), radiation down the thighs 21(20.6%), constipation 17(16.7%), acne 8(7.8%) and hives and oily skin 8(7.8%). 83(81.4%) of the population reported menstrual cramps and 42(41.2%) reported menstrual backache.
Linear logistic regression was done to assess factors associated with development of PMS among female adolescents and found out that drinking caffeinated drinks (aOR=1.6, P value 0.035), presence of hormonal imbalance (aOR for no imbalance 0.4, P-value 0.006) and lack of exercises ( aOR=1.8, P value 0.049) were majorly associated.
Conclusion
The prevalence of PMS in the adolescents in Jinja SSS, Jinja district was very high (82.4%) and majorly associated with drinking caffeinated drinks, presence of hormonal imbalance and lack of exercises. PMS was found to cause loss of concentration, declined in class performance and a lower self-esteem among female adolescents. I recommend need to extensively investigate the effect of PMS on the education status of the students in schools, need to develop policies on PMS and girl’s health through various interventions that include; awareness programs that target adolescents at places where adolescent health is impacted into that age bracket and Parents/guardians/teachers should be guided on how to educate their children about PMS in children | en_US |
