Health seeking behavior among tertiary school female students with Dysmenorrhea in Delta State, South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea, also referred to as painful menstruation, is a common chronic pelvic pain syndrome that affects women that are of childbearing age and it is positively linked with recurrent short-term absence from school among adolescent girls accompanied by diminished health-related quality of life. This study examined various correlates of healthcare-seeking behavior for dysmenorrhea among female students in three tertiary institutions in the Delta state of Nigeria. The research design was cross-sectional employing the questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 400 female students randomly selected in the three tertiary institutions, filled and returned the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential methods were used to analyze the data. The most recurring age groups in COE and DELSU were 16-21years (49.3% and 54% respectively) while DSSH was 22-27years (39%). Over 75% of all respondents were single;. Across the institutions, the majority (26.3%) visited the chemist, 22.3% the pharmacy, 13.0% the hospital and 1.5% sought health care from herbal and spiritual homes. For self-medication, 59.8% used Paracetamol and 1.5% resorted to herbs to relieve menstrual pain. Generally, more people patronized private health facilities; there was a significant difference across educational institutions (p<0.05) in the first point of call during menstrual pains/cramps, Self-medication usage, Herbal preparation usage and Effectiveness of self-medication. The use of self-medication had a relationship with the severity of cramps in all institutions, [COE (p=0.009), DELSU (p=0.036) and DSSH (p=0.036). Overall, the magnitude of appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior was satisfactory.