Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and its Associated Factors among 11th and 12th Grade Female Students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70280/njph(2025)v2i2.47

Keywords:

Adolescent, Dysmenorrhea, Female, Nepal, Menstrual Cycle, Prevalence

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common health issue affecting 50-90% of adolescent girls, significantly impacting their quality of life by causing absenteeism from school and affecting daily activities. Understanding the impact of dysmenorrhea is essential for carrying out focused treatment. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among students in classes 11-12 in the Kathmandu Metropolitan area.

Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving female students from private secondary schools in Kathmandu Metropolitan. Using a multistage random sampling technique, 427 students were surveyed with a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: The study found 79.4% prevalence of dysmenorrhea among participants, with 71.2% experiencing regular menstrual cycles and 28.8% having irregular cycles. Early menarche (<13 years) was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea (χ² = 6.30, p = 0.012), as was a family history of dysmenorrhea (χ² = 48.49, p < 0.001). Short sleep duration (<6 hours) was notably linked to dysmenorrhea (χ² = 41.42, p < 0.001), while physical exercise showed a significant but modest association (χ² = 4.10, p = 0.043).

Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent among adolescent girls in Kathmandu, with key factors such as early menarche, family history, and sleep duration significantly impacting its prevalence. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to manage dysmenorrhea and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.

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Published

2026-02-10

How to Cite

Basnet, I., & B C, R. (2026). Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and its Associated Factors among 11th and 12th Grade Female Students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal. Nepal Journal of Public Health, 2(2), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.70280/njph(2025)v2i2.47

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Nepal Journal of Public Health

Section

Original Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Isha Basnet, Raymond B C

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