Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its influence on job performance among nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by a wide range of emotional and physical symptoms and behav-ioural changes, happening before the menstruation phase of the menstrual cycle and dropping after the starting of the menstrual period. Objective: To determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its influence on job performance among nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of 310 nurses working at Madinah maternity and child hospital and affiliated Primary Health care Centers in AlMadianh, from January to February 2019 in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMS). The data were analyzed with Version 22.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Science. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, independent t-test and one way ANOVA test was used. Results: The prevalence of PMS among the nurses was 52.0%, with a mean score of 114±32. The premenstrual syndrome was significantly higher in younger nurses, those with less number of children, those who had pain before and during the period, those with disappearance symptoms before and with the onset of menstruation, those who use regulated medicine, those who experienced dysmenorrhea, cramps and back pain (p<0.05). The premenstrual syndrome was significantly affected daily work (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The premenstrual syndrome was found in more than half of the nurses who participated in the study. The premenstrual syndrome was higher in younger nurses who suffered from pain before and during the period and used regulated medicine. There was a statistically significant negative effect of PMS on daily work performance.