PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF DYSMENORRHEA AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA.

Introduction: The period of menstruation is an eventful one for a significant number of postpubescent females as they experience lower abdominal pains referred to as dysmenorrhea. Aims: This study assessed prevalence and treatment seeking behavior of Dysmenorrhea among undergraduates in selected universities in Osun state. Methodology: A descriptive design was used to select 230 respondents using convenience sampling technique by Taro Yamane formula. Self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using table and percentage, the research questions were answered and the hypotheses were tested using chi square for some variables and chi square at 0.05 level of significance. Results: From the study, Dysmenorrhea has a prevalence rate of 79.1%, 45.1% experienced mild pain while 54.9% experienced moderate pain. Furthermore, majority 145(63%) had poor attitude towards the management of dysmenorrhea while 85(37%) had good attitude. Base on this study, the practices towards management of dysmenorrhea were poor, many (39.6%) preferred to consult their mothers and pray (19.8%) while just 14.3% preferred to go the hospital, relief of pain with analgesics was sought most (48.4%). Chi square analysis revealed significant association of dysmenorrhea with various risk factors such as early menarcheat (X2=11.881, P=.003), long duration of menstruation (X2=9.408, P=.009), excessive amount an adolescent with family history of dysmenorrhea is 19 times likely to come down with dysmenorrhea at (odd ratio (OR)=18.881, 6.496-54.877 confidence interval (CI)of menstrual flow(X2=14.555, P=.001), family history of dysmenorrhea (X2=45.77, P=.000).