Attitudes Toward Menstruation, Menstrual-Related Symptoms, and Premenstrual Syndrome Among Adolescent Girls: A Rural School-Based Survey

Abstract

Folk culture surrounding menstrual-related matters has considerable implications for symptom expression and treatment-seeking behavior. A cross-sectional survey of 1,295 rural adolescent girls aged 13 to 19 years was conducted between February 4 and April 16, 2009 to examine these associations. With a higher score indicating a more positive attitude toward menstruation, the mean attitude score was 3.84 (SD ± 1.62) out of a maximum of six. No significant association was observed between the severity of menstrual symptoms and attitudes. Most (63.1%) of the participants identified themselves as having premenstrual symptoms, and 61.1% viewed premenstrual symptoms as a normal part of menstrual cycle. Participants with a higher severity of symptoms in the premenstrual (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10) and menstrual phase (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07), were more likely to consult a physician for premenstrual symptoms, and having a divorced/separated parents was associated with a reduced odds of consulting a physician compared to those having parents that were married (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05–0.83). The findings imply the need for education to help adolescent girls manage menstrual symptoms and increase awareness of the benefit of treating them. Given that menstrual-related information was widely available from mothers, family, and social culture are potentially important in shaping good menstrual attitudes.

KEYWORDS:

• menstruation
• menstrual-related symptoms
• premenstrual syndrome
• rural

Notes

This study was funded by University of Malaya (research grant FS351/2008C). The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Notes. ^aAll values are based on participants' self-reporting.

^bLower secondary education is meant for 12–15 years old students; form 1 to form 3.

Upper secondary education is meant for 16–18 years old students; form 4 to form 6.

^cNumber of respondents does not sum up to 1,295 due to non-responses.

^d1 US Dollar = 3.1 Malaysian ringgits (MYR), as of Sept 9, 2010.

Notes. *p < 0.05.

†1 US Dollar = 3.1 Malaysian ringgits (MYR), as of Sept 9, 2010.