title: Dysmenorrhea: Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life among Young Adult Jordanian Females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the prevalence and impact on quality of life of dysmenorrhea among young adult Jordanian females.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study based on quantitative self-reported anonymous questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 272 female medical students (aged 19-25 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reports of menstruation-related pain symptoms and methods of dealing with them.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of study subjects 152/272 (55.8%) participants had moderate and severe dysmenorrhea. Of them, 55.8% had a family history of severe dysmenorrhea compared with 33.1% of those without dysmenorrhea (χ2 = 13.40, df = 1, P < .001). There was strong association between severity of dysmenorrhea and poor university attendance (χ(2) = 45.35, df = 2, P < .001), poor social activities (χ2 = 32.06, df = 2, P < .001), poor relationships with family (χ2 = 18.46, df = 2, P < .001) and friends (χ2 = 19.14, df = 2, P < .001), and poor sport activities (χ2 = 12.15, df = 2, P = .002). Dysmenorrhea worsens during examination periods in 50% of cases. The most common pain symptom was low back pain (60.2%). Body mass index, family monthly income and early age at menarche had no correlation with the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. Of those with dysmenorrhea, 69.4% were using analgesics. Mothers were the main source of information regarding menstruation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among young adult Jordanian females and seems to negatively affect quality of life, particularly as related to university attendance and performance and social relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan. Electronic address: drmoamar@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Moamar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Jefout
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Abu-Fraijeh
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Seham
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hijazeen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jameel
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Al-Qaisi
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Randa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Al-Ma'aitah
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Al-Ma'aitah
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oday
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mother and Infants, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luscombe
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: Dysmenorrhea; Menstruation; Quality of life; School absence; Young adult females