Prevalence of menstrual disorders and health-seeking behaviour of adolescents in Greater Giyani Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Background: As important as menstruation is to women’s reproduction is accompanied by different disorders which may affect the quality of female’s life. Menstrual disorders are the main cause of anxiety and psychological stress in young girls. Globally, the prevalence of menstrual disorders ranges from 51 % to 90% amongst young girls and adults. Purpose: The aim of the study is to identify the prevalence of menstrual disorders and healthseeking behaviours of adolescents in Greater Giyani Municipality. Method: The study employed quantitative cross-sectional, explorative, descriptive design. A sample size of 360 adolescent girls from grade 9 to 12 aged between 14 to 19 years old was obtained using Slovin’s formula. Data was collected using a questionnaire with three sections namely demographic data, menstrual disorders information and health-seeking information. Probability sampling was used to select three educational circuits and non- probability purposive method was used to select four secondary schools. Participants were sampled by convenient method. Ethical considerations and validity and reliability were ensured. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 26). Pearson’s Chisquare was used to obtain association between variables. The study discovered a prevalence of menstrual disorders which includes dysmenorrhoea (24.4%), Menorrhagia (8.2%), polymenorria (22.5%) and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (22.5%). In terms of health seeking, the study revealed that 44.9% of girls seek medical care when experiencing menstrual pain, and 47% of girls relied on analgesics to relieve pain. Lastly, 26.5 % of school absenteeism due to menstrual disorders was reported. Conclusion: The findings show that menstrual disorders are prevalent among girls in Greater Giyani Municipality and majority of them rely on medical treatment for pain.