title: [Dysmenorrhea: a study of affected factors and approaches to relief among female students at a college in southern Taiwan].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dysmenorrhea is a major problem in the general gynecology clinic. It causes discomfort among healthcare staffs and significant losses in terms of time and finances.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the affected factors of dysmenorrhea and evaluate the self-perceived efficacy of relief methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data. Participants included 586 female students enrolled at a college in southern Taiwan. Data was analyzed using a t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Traditional Chinese medicine pattern identifications related significantly to dysmenorrhea frequency perception. Lifestyle characteristics related significantly to dysmenorrhea level perception. Using shenghua decoction, siwu and pig blood decoction, Angelica drink, ginger, ziziphus jujube, brown sugar tea, and analgesics all related significantly to dysmenorrhea relief efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies found to help relieve dysmenorrhea level perception include increasing the duration and regularity of sleep and avoiding the consumption of pungent foods. Seeking and adhering to physician recommendations can also increase dysmenorrhea self-care efficacy. Dysmenorrhea-relief courses should be improved in hospitals and schools to assist women to self-manage dysmenorrhea more effectively.
authors.affiliation: Library, Min-Hwei College of Health Care Management, Taiwan, ROC. chenck@mail.mhchcm.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chung-Kuang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ya-Pei
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hsun-Lang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ya-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012648:Self Care; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: dysmenorrhea; menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ); menstruction