MENSTRUAL DISCOMFORT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY, KADUNA

                                                                                                Abstract

The outset of menstruation is the most striking event in the whole process of female puberty. he prevalence of menstrual disorder among young women varies widely from country to country. As important as menstruation is to human reproduction, it may be accompanied with varying discomforts and disorders which can affect the quality of life of women and can also be indicators of serious underlying problems. These menstrual disorders are common causes of morbidity among women and a source of anxiety and psychological stress. It is a traumatic experience for some women and could at times truncate their life dreams. Menstrual disorder and discomfort in diverse ways affect 40-65% of menstruating women.. In view of this background, this study analyzes the menstrual discomfort and its influence on daily academic activities among female undergraduate students in Kaduna State University. To address the problem of study, three research questions were raised. The researcher adopted a survey research design. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents comprised the target of the study. Questionnaire and was the instrument used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), frequency tables and percentages (%) were employed in the data analysis. It was discovered that most of the respondents in the study area agree that severe dysmenorrhoea has debilitating effect on sufferers and leads to absenteeism and inattentiveness in class which may result in poor academic performance. The study concluded that despite the good knowledge of menstrual disorders and its management among female undergraduates, some of them still suffer from the disorders. Early intervention as soon as students are admitted into higher school of learning would be beneficial in helping them to manage this unavoidable experience without any effect on their health and academic work. School health nurses are rightly positioned to offer these interventions. Their expertise should be appropriately utilized by schools to help the young female adapt successfully to menstruation. It was also deduced that as a result of difficult menstruation, there is an increase rate of absenteeism and loss of concentration in academic work which may impact on school performances as well as the achievement of their life goals. Thus there is need for regular reproductive health programmes for female undergraduates including information on how to monitor, and manage menstruation. It is therefore imperative that health care providers most especially nurses increase their anticipatory guidance regarding menstruation and associated disorders.

                                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    1
1.2 Statement of the Problem    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    4
1.3 Research Questions    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    6
1.4 Objective of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    6
1.5 Significance of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    7
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study    -    -    -    -    -    7