The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance
Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a condition that may have a profound effect on adolescent girls’ health status and well-being. It can impede their engagement in daily activities and hamper their regular school attendance. This study aims to explore the relationship between...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18219-0 |
| _version_ | 1827321231970402304 |
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| author | Rula Ghandour Weeam Hammoudeh Hein Stigum Rita Giacaman Heidi Fjeld Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen |
| author_facet | Rula Ghandour Weeam Hammoudeh Hein Stigum Rita Giacaman Heidi Fjeld Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen |
| author_sort | Rula Ghandour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a condition that may have a profound effect on adolescent girls’ health status and well-being. It can impede their engagement in daily activities and hamper their regular school attendance. This study aims to explore the relationship between dysmenorrhea, well-being, and academic performance among adolescent girls living in Palestine refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan. Methods We conducted a household survey between June and September 2019, with a total sample of 2737 adolescent girls 15 to 18 years old. Dysmenorrhea severity was assessed using the Working Ability, Location, Intensity, Duration of pain Dysmenorrhea scale (WaLIDD). The WHO-5 scale was used to evaluate the girls’ overall well-being. Menstrual academic disruption (MAD) was measured using a self-reported scale. Multiple linear regression models were employed to evaluate the association between dysmenorrhea, well-being, and academic performance. Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) were employed to identify variables for control in regression models. Results The mean dysmenorrhea score was 6.6 ± 2.6, with 37.9% and 41.2% expressing moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. The mean WHO-5 score was 58.7 ± 25.1, and 34.9% reported a low well-being status. The mean MAD score was 3.1 ± 3.3. 26% reported missing school due to dysmenorrhea, 36% said dysmenorrhea impacted their ability to concentrate, and 39% were unable to study for tests, and complete homework. The first regression analysis showed a reduction of 1.45 units in WHO-5 score for each unit increase in dysmenorrhea. The second regression analysis showed a non-linear increase in MAD score for increasing dysmenorrhea. For each dysmenorrhea score less than 4 (mild) there was a modest increase in MAD scores (coefficient 0.08, p-value = 0.006), and for each dysmenorrhea score above 4 there was a stronger increase in MAD scores (coefficient 0.95, p < 0.001). Conclusion Dysmenorrhea poses significant challenges to the well-being and academic performance of adolescent girls living in Palestine refugee camps. Collaborative efforts and multifaceted approaches are crucial to address dysmenorrhea effectively. This involves research, targeted interventions, culturally sensitive strategies, and fostering a supportive environment that empowers girls to thrive academically and beyond. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:02:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6c10d65ec3214b3ba9139546167601c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:02:44Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-6c10d65ec3214b3ba9139546167601c32024-03-10T12:23:52ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-03-0124111210.1186/s12889-024-18219-0The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performanceRula Ghandour0Weeam Hammoudeh1Hein Stigum2Rita Giacaman3Heidi Fjeld4Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen5Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit UniversityInstitute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit UniversityDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of OsloInstitute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit UniversityDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of OsloDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of OsloAbstract Background Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a condition that may have a profound effect on adolescent girls’ health status and well-being. It can impede their engagement in daily activities and hamper their regular school attendance. This study aims to explore the relationship between dysmenorrhea, well-being, and academic performance among adolescent girls living in Palestine refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan. Methods We conducted a household survey between June and September 2019, with a total sample of 2737 adolescent girls 15 to 18 years old. Dysmenorrhea severity was assessed using the Working Ability, Location, Intensity, Duration of pain Dysmenorrhea scale (WaLIDD). The WHO-5 scale was used to evaluate the girls’ overall well-being. Menstrual academic disruption (MAD) was measured using a self-reported scale. Multiple linear regression models were employed to evaluate the association between dysmenorrhea, well-being, and academic performance. Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) were employed to identify variables for control in regression models. Results The mean dysmenorrhea score was 6.6 ± 2.6, with 37.9% and 41.2% expressing moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. The mean WHO-5 score was 58.7 ± 25.1, and 34.9% reported a low well-being status. The mean MAD score was 3.1 ± 3.3. 26% reported missing school due to dysmenorrhea, 36% said dysmenorrhea impacted their ability to concentrate, and 39% were unable to study for tests, and complete homework. The first regression analysis showed a reduction of 1.45 units in WHO-5 score for each unit increase in dysmenorrhea. The second regression analysis showed a non-linear increase in MAD score for increasing dysmenorrhea. For each dysmenorrhea score less than 4 (mild) there was a modest increase in MAD scores (coefficient 0.08, p-value = 0.006), and for each dysmenorrhea score above 4 there was a stronger increase in MAD scores (coefficient 0.95, p < 0.001). Conclusion Dysmenorrhea poses significant challenges to the well-being and academic performance of adolescent girls living in Palestine refugee camps. Collaborative efforts and multifaceted approaches are crucial to address dysmenorrhea effectively. This involves research, targeted interventions, culturally sensitive strategies, and fostering a supportive environment that empowers girls to thrive academically and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18219-0Adolescent girlsWell-beingDysmenorrheaAcademic performancePalestinian refugee campsWest Bank and Jordan |
| spellingShingle | Rula Ghandour Weeam Hammoudeh Hein Stigum Rita Giacaman Heidi Fjeld Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance BMC Public Health Adolescent girls Well-being Dysmenorrhea Academic performance Palestinian refugee camps West Bank and Jordan |
| title | The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance |
| title_full | The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance |
| title_fullStr | The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance |
| title_short | The hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in Palestine refugee camps: a focus on well-being and academic performance |
| title_sort | hidden burden of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in palestine refugee camps a focus on well being and academic performance |
| topic | Adolescent girls Well-being Dysmenorrhea Academic performance Palestinian refugee camps West Bank and Jordan |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18219-0 |
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