Assessment of Adolescent Student's Knowledge toward Premenstrual Syndrome in Nursing Secondary Schools at Al-Diwanyia Governorate

Abstract

Objective: to assess Adolescent Student's Knowledge toward Premenstrual Syndrome in Nursing Secondary Schools at Al-Diwanyia Governorate.

Methodology: A descriptive analytic study was carried out to assess adolescent student's knowledge toward premenstrual syndrome in nursing secondary schools at Al-Diwanyia governorate in February 2013 to July 2013.A purposive sample consist of (282) adolescent student with premenstrual syndrome in nursing secondary schools at Al-Diwanyia governorate (Al-Diwanyia- Al-Hamzah- Al- Shamyia- Afak). A questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study, it was composed of three parts, part one: consist of demographic information, part two: consist of menstrual cycle characteristics, part three: consist of questions regarding adolescent student's knowledge toward premenstrual syndrome, it comprise of one main domain and five sub domains. Reliability of the questionnaire is determined through the pilot study and the validity through a panel of (13) experts. Descriptive statistical analysis procedures and inferential statistical analysis procedures were employed for data analysis, all the statistic procedures were tested at P-0.05 .

Results: The result revealed that the majority of the study sample 44.6 % had insufficient knowledge toward premenstrual syndrome. The assessment of knowledge is not affected by demographic characteristics and menstrual cycle characteristics, that mean the studied questionnaire can be amend for all individuals of the studied population.

Recommendations: The study recommended to development of school health services for better detection and management of PMS in the adolescent population. Curriculum of nursing secondary schools should contain efficient knowledge about menstrual cycle disorders especially PMS. Encouraged affected girls to seek medical advise of the medical staff. Enhance adolescents students knowledge regarding PMS as well as adapt healthy life style through booklet, educating programs, mass media, articles.