Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and Its Impact on Academic Performance among Female Nursing Students in UNIMAS
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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Dysmenorrhea, a prevalent gynecological condition among young women, has the potential to hinder academic performance, particularly among nursing students who face rigorous academic and clinical demands. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea, its impact on academic performance, and the relationship between pain intensity and academic disruption among female nursing students at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 participants, who were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Spearman correlation test in SPSS Version 27 The findings revealed that 95.2% of participants experienced dysmenorrhea, with moderate pain being most commonly reported (46.4%). The total impact score had a median of 18.00 (IQR = 16.25), indicating a notable academic impact, including reduced concentration (52.4%), limited class participation (50.7%), disruption in studying or homework (50.9%), difficulty performing well in an exam and absenteeism (7.4%). Spearman’s correlation showed a statistically significant positive relationship between dysmenorrhea severity and its academic impact, rₛ(138) = .568, p < .001. The results highlight the need for greater awareness and institutional support for students experiencing menstrual pain to ensure optimal academic performance. Early interventions and academic flexibility may help alleviate the challenges faced by students with dysmenorrhea.