Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Lecturer of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2
M.Sc. Student of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Health Sciences Research Center, School of Health ,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome includes a set of unpleasant physical, emotional or behavioral symptoms which can be observed in repeated form during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle. 90% of women experience some grades of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. No definitive treatment has been certified for premenstrual syndrome. This paper tends to investigate the impact of life skills education on severity of psychological and physical premenstrual syndrome symptoms in university students.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted during February 2013 to June 2013 on 68 first year bachelor students who were resident in dormitory of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Students were randomly divided into two groups of education and control. Life skills were taught to education group in 8 sessions. Data collection tools include menstrual and demographic information questionnaire, general health questionnaire, temporary diagnosis form of premenstrual syndrome, daily status report form, knowledge and attitude assessment form about premenstrual syndrome. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and statistical tests such as Mann-Whitney, independent t-test, paired t-test and chi-square. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Both groups were similar in age, age at menarche, body mass index, parental education and occupation, academic field of study, socio-economic class, dysmenorrhea and its severity, premenstrual syndrome severity, delay in performing daily activities and absences from the classroom due to premenstrual syndrome, knowledge and attitudes about premenstrual syndrome. After the intervention, the severity of psychological premenstrual syndrome had significant difference in two groups (p=0.005), but in the severity of physical premenstrual syndrome no significant difference was observed (p=0.907).
Conclusion: Life skills education decreased the severity of psychological symptom of premenstrual syndrome.
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