| dc.description.abstract | Dysmenorrhea is a common health problem among
females because it has effects on physical, mental
and social activities. This study was conducted
among female factory workers in Piliyandala
MOH area, Colombo, Sri Lanka aiming to identify
the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and to determine
self-managing techniques and association
with daily activities. A community based,
descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.
Convenience sampling method was used and
data collection was conducted using a pre-tested
self-administered structured questionnaire. Data
were analysed using SPSS 23 version. Majority
(95.2%) experienced painful menstruation.
Dysmenorrhea was mild, moderate and severe
in 40.6%, 29.5%, 28.1% respectively. From the
pain experienced participants, majority used self-managing
techniques but 19.4% have not used
any technique. Paracetamol (53%) was the drug
of choice for pain relief. Other commonly used
methods were coffee (28.1%), hot water treatment
(17.5%), rest (10.1%) and coriander water (7.4%).
Mefenemic acid and Ibuprofen were used only by
2.3% and 2.2%. Majority stated poor knowledge
and fear on pain killers as the reason for not
using pain killers and responded that taking
pain killers may cause infertility. Shyness (13.8%)
was the common reason for not seeking health
advices. Most of the participants reduced their
activity level during menstrual period (75.6%).
Majority answered “no absenteeism” (64.5%)
due to menstrual pain and had bath during
menstruation. Majority with dysmenorrhea
did not visit doctors to have medical advices or
medications and shyness was the common reason
for it. Current findings indicate that there was an
association between dysmenorrhea and working
ability but there were no significant effects on
absenteeism. Educating female factory workers
on pain-relieving methods is extremely important
to improve their productivity,working capacity
and quality of life. | en_US |
