Association Between Nutritional Status and Primary Dysmenorrhea Among Adolescent Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

Sulaeha; Yuni Handayani; I Gusti Ayu Karnasih

Authors

Sulaeha Universitas dr. soebandi Indonesia
Yuni Handayani Universitas dr. soebandi Indonesia
I Gusti Ayu Karnasih Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual health problem among adolescent girls and may interfere with daily activities and school participation. Nutritional status has been proposed as a modifiable factor associated with menstrual symptoms; however, evidence regarding its relationship with the severity of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescents remains limited.

Aims: To determine the association between nutritional status and the severity of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at MA Nuris, Jember, Indonesia.

Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population comprised 79 female students in Grade XI at MA Nuris, with 44 participants selected using purposive sampling based on the Slovin formula. Nutritional status was assessed through body weight and height measurements to determine body mass index, while dysmenorrhea severity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale. Data were analysed using frequency distributions and the Spearman correlation test.

Results: Most participants had normal nutritional status (28, 63.3%), followed by overweight (9, 20.4%) and underweight (7, 16.3%). Regarding dysmenorrhea severity, 26 participants (59.0%) experienced mild symptoms, 13 (29.6%) moderate symptoms, and 5 (11.4%) severe symptoms. Nutritional status was significantly associated with the severity of primary dysmenorrhea (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Nutritional status was significantly associated with the severity of primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at MA Nuris. These findings support the importance of promoting balanced nutrition as part of adolescent menstrual health education and reproductive health programmes.

Keywords: adolescents; primary dysmenorrhea; nutritional status; menstrual health; reproductive health

Keywords:

adolescents, primary dysmenorrhea, nutritional status, menstrual health, reproductive health

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