Article In Press | Published on: June 26, 2026
Volume: 3, Issue: 1
Corresponding Author: Famutimi Esther Oluwatoyin, Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Citation: Esther O. Famutimi, Dorcas O. Oni, Ruth O. Olorunmonu, Adetunmise O. Olajide, Olabisi M. Oluseye, et al. (2026). Dysmenorrhea management practices and associated factors among female nursing students: An institution-based study at Atiba University, Nigeria. Journal of Bio-Med and Clinical Research. RPC Publishers. 3(1);1-10.
Copyright: © 2026 Famutimi Esther Oluwatoyin, this is an open-Access article distributed under the Terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, Distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Background: Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynaecological conditions affecting women of reproductive age and remains a significant public health concern among university students. Despite the growing burden of dysmenorrhea among young women in low - and middle-income countries, evidence regarding management practices among nursing students in Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed dysmenorrhea management practices and associated factors among female nursing students at Atiba University, Oyo, Nigeria.
Methods: An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 168 female undergraduate nursing students selected via stratified random sampling. Data on sociodemographics, dysmenorrhea experience, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management practices were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Chi-square tests of independence examined associations between categorical variables, and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests assessed whether observed frequencies differed from chance expectations, with significance set at p < .05.
Results: The response rate was 90.8%, with a mean age of 21.0 ± 1.7 years. Most (84.5%) respondents experienced dysmenorrhea, which interfered with academic and daily activities. Non-pharmacological methods were widely used and positively perceived: heat therapy (84.0%), exercise (79.2%), dietary modification (79.1%), relaxation (85.7%), stress management (84.5%), and hydration (92.2%). Pharmacological therapy, such as Ibuprofen and paracetamol, was rated effective by 83.3%, while hormonal contraception had 32.7%.postive responses, 74.4% agreed that severe pain warrants professional consultation, and self-medication remained common (46.4%). Dysmenorrhea occurrence was not associated with academic level, χ²(4, N = 168) = 0.17, p = .997. Students reported significant agreement that all non-pharmacological practices are effective, χ²s(1, N = 168) = 57.17 to 156.21, ps <.001.
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent and managed through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Despite positive attitudes toward healthcare consultation, self-medication persists. Strengthened menstrual health education and accessible, student-centred reproductive health services are needed in universities.
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