Menstrual problems and lifestyle among Spanish university women
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Authors
Fernández-Martínez, Elia
Fernández-Villa, Tania
Amezcua-Prieto, Carmen
Suárez-Varela, María Morales
Mateos-Campos, Ramona
Ayán-Pérez, Carlos
Molina de la Torre, Antonio José
Ortíz-Moncada, Rocío
Almaraz, Ana
Abellán, Gemma Blázquez
Issue Date
2020-10-12
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Menstrual Disorders , Diet , Lifestyle , University Students
Alternative Title
Abstract
Menstrual problems affect many young women worldwide, conditioning both their academic performance and quality of life. This study sought to analyse the prevalence of menstrual problems and their possible relationship with lifestyle among Spanish university women, as part of a research project (UniHcos Project) involving a cohort of 11 Spanish universities with 7208 university students. A descriptive analysis was performed using the bivariate chi-square test and the Student’s t-test together with a binary logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was ‘suffering from menstrual problems’. Menstrual problems were identified in 23.8% of the students, representing women who paid more visits to the doctor and to emergency rooms, and who consumed more painkillers and contraceptives. In relation to dietary preferences, menstrual problems were 1.39 (CI 95% 1.22–1.61; p = 0.000) times more likely among women classified as high-risk alcohol users according to the AUDIT questionnaire, and 1.187 (CI 95% 1.029–1.370; p = 0.019) times greater among those who consumed sweets daily, 1.592 (CI 95% 1.113–2.276; p = 0.011) times more frequent among those who eat fish daily, and 1.199 (CI 95% 1.004–1.432; p = 0.045) times greater among those who were dieting. Menstrual problems affect many college students and potentially modifiable lifestyle variables exist which may influence their prevalence. It would be interesting to develop programmes to promote women’s health in the university context.
Description
Citation
Fernández-Martínez, E., Fernández-Villa, T., Amezcua-Prieto, C., Suárez-Varela, M. M., Mateos-Campos, R., Ayán-Pérez, C., Molina de la Torre, A. J., Ortíz-Moncada, R., Almaraz, A., Blázquez Abellán, G., Delgado-Rodríguez, M., Alonso-Molero, J., Martínez-Ruíz, V., Llopis-Morales, A., Valero Juan, L. F., Cancela Carral, J. M., Martín-Peláez, S., & Alguacil, J. (2020). Menstrual Problems and Lifestyle among Spanish University Women. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(20), 7425. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207425
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health