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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Analgesics in Dentistry | Research article

Use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia: a cross sectional study

Authors: Usman Abubakar, Amni Izzati Zulkarnain, Fatihah Samri, Sabrina Ros Hisham, Anis Alias, Muhammad Ishak, Hajarah Sugiman, Taufik Ghozali

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Dysmenorrhea is a common problem that affects female students’ quality of life and academic activities. Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of female undergraduate students with dysmenorrhea towards CATs.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students in a public university in Malaysia using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in November and December 2019. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.

Results

Of the 318 female undergraduate students invited, 219 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 68.9%) with 52% aged between 21 and 23 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 72.1%, and the prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs was 70.3 and 54.4%, respectively. Bed rest (71.5%), hot compress/heating pad (47.5%) and massage (43.0%) were the most common CATs used by the respondents. The most common reasons for using CAT were to reduce the need for analgesics (61.4%), efficacy (37.3%) and recommendation by others (32.9%). About 23 and 9% of the respondents believed that CATs were equally “effective” and “more effective” than analgesics, respectively. Reducing the need for analgesics (AOR: 4.066, 95% CI: 2.136–7.739) and those who agreed that CATs are effective (AOR: 2.701, 95% CI: 1.337–5.457) were independently associated with the current use CATs for the treatment of menstrual pain.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ever-use and current use of CATs is high among female undergraduate pharmacy students. Bed rest and heat applications are the most common CATs used. Reducing the need for analgesics and efficacy are the factors associated with the current use of CATs. Students should be educated about the safe and effective use of CATs to reduce adverse effects and improve their quality of life.
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Metadata
Title
Use of complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment of dysmenorrhea among undergraduate pharmacy students in Malaysia: a cross sectional study
Authors
Usman Abubakar
Amni Izzati Zulkarnain
Fatihah Samri
Sabrina Ros Hisham
Anis Alias
Muhammad Ishak
Hajarah Sugiman
Taufik Ghozali
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-03082-4

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