Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and associated factors in adult women

• Autor(a) principal: Santos,Luana Brito dos
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Barbosa,Isabelle Ribeiro, Dantas,Thaissa Hamana de Macedo, Araujo,Camilla Medeiros, Dantas,Jardelina Hermecina, Ferreira,Caroline Wanderley Souto, Câmara,Saionara Maria Aires da, Dantas,Diego
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-42302022000100031
• topic: Cross-sectional studies; Dysmenorrhea; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Women’s health

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea in a sample of adult women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with women aged between 19 and 49 years from a city of northeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, gynecological, and obstetric variables were assessed by questionnaires and interviews. Dysmenorrhea was measured by self-report, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale measured the intensity of pain. Statistical analyses included χ2 test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The average age was 33.2±9.1 years and the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea was 56% for the whole sample. The average duration of symptoms was 2.7±1.8 days and the mean intensity was 6.1±2.6. The previous cesarean section was associated with a higher rate of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=2.33; 95%CI 1.11–4.90) when considering the whole sample. Women who aged 25–39 years and are insufficiently active had higher rates of primary dysmenorrhea (PR=5.24; 95%CI 1.08–27.31). CONCLUSION: Primary dysmenorrhea has a high prevalence in young adults, adults, and middle-aged women. Cesarean section and being physically inactive was associated with increased rates of dysmenorrhea among adult women.