Management of perimenstrual symptoms among young Taiwanese nursing students

Aim and objective. To determine the frequency and distribution of medications used by Taiwanese nursing students for dysmenorrhoea and to investigate potential associations between perimenstrual symptoms and selection of medications. Background. Dysmenorrhoea is a symptom-complex. It is also the leading cause of short-term school absence and is associated with a negative impact on academic and daily activities. The effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicines and Western medications for ameliorating dysmenorrhoea has been well-documented. However, no publications were found to examine the selection of traditional Chinese medicines, Western medications or teas among Taiwanese women for the management of dysmenorrhoea and related symptoms. Design. A descriptive survey. Method. Management of Menstrual Cramps Survey was distributed to a convenience sample of 2758 female nursing students in Southern Taiwan. Content validity and inter-rater reliability were applied to evaluate the measure. The descriptive statistics and chi-square comparisons were calculated where appropriate for each of the items of the questionnaires. Results. Perimenstrual symptoms were statistically significant indicators for the use of any combination of Western medications, traditional Chinese medicines or teas. Data revealed that there were statistically significant association between perimenstrual symptoms and the uses of traditional Chinese medicines (chi 2 = 3 center dot 876, df = 1, p = 0 center dot 031) or Western medications (chi 2 = 10 center dot 171, df = 1, p < 0 center dot 01). Conclusions. Panadol and Si-Wu-Tang were the most frequently used medications among Western medicines and traditional Chinese medicines, respectively. However, Western medications were used for a broader spectrum of symptoms than traditional Chinese medicines. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings have implications for professional nurses, nurse researchers and society. Nurses teach and promote health, which includes the communication of medication-related information. To teach young women in Taiwan about the options available for relief of perimenstrual symptoms is significant.