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Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Academic Performance and Daily Activities among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria
Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences · Area of research: Nursing
Abstract
Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual disorder among young women and has been shown to negatively affect physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Among university students, menstrual pain may significantly interfere with academic engagement and daily activities. Objective: This study assessed the impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and daily activities among female undergraduate students in a Nigerian private university. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 female undergraduate students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing experience of dysmenorrhea, its perceived impact on academic performance and daily activities, and selected socio-demographic variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables, and chi-square test was employed to examine the association between level of knowledge of dysmenorrhea and its academic impact at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: Among respondents who experienced dysmenorrhea, 84.8% reported absenteeism from lectures, 82.5% reported difficulty concentrating in class, and 79.0% perceived a negative impact on their academic performance. Sleep disturbance (76.4%), emotional distress (71.2%), and reduced participation in physical or social activities (68.9%) were also commonly reported. No statistically significant association was found between level of knowledge of dysmenorrhea and its impact on academic performance (p = 0.110). Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea significantly disrupts academic performance and daily functioning among female undergraduate students. Despite moderate knowledge levels, the academic burden of dysmenorrhea remains substantial. University policies that promote menstrual health support, academic flexibility, and accessible healthcare services are recommended.
Keywords
Dysmenorrhea, Academic Performance, Daily Activities, Female Undergraduates, Nigeria
References
[1] Agwa E., Wael N., Aziza A. N. and Mahmoud S. (2023) Impacts of Dysmenorrhea and Premenstrual Syndrome on Academic Performance and its Relationship with Body Mass Index among Students attending Benha Faculty of Medicine. doi 10.21608/ejcm.2023.198249.1250
[2] Amena A., Abuzer A., Najla S. A., Munirah S. A. and Amjad J. A. (2022) Prevalence, impact, and management perception of dysmenorrhea among university students: A cross-sectional study Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902022e20458
[3] Bikila B., Ibsa M., Lemma D. R., Deribe B. D. and Fethia M. (2025) Burden, impacts and management practices of dysmenorrhea among female students in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Health journal. 2025 Apr 17;17(5):649–660. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaf028
[4] Esra B., Şule Y., Kayhan Y., and Barış A. The impact of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome on academic performance of college students, and their willingness to seek help. Turk Journal of Obstetric Gynecology 17(3):196-201. doi: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2020.97266.
[5] James D. S., Forkpah P., and Emmanuel T. G. (2023) Investigating the Prevalence and Impacts of Dysmenorrhea on Daily Activities among Undergraduate Students in Weaver Street, Paynesville. Texila International Journal of Public Health ISSN: 2520-3134 DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.03.Art013
[6] Mesele, A., Endriyas, M., & Getahun, T. (2022). Impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance among undergraduate students in Eastern Ethiopia. BMC Women’s Health, 22, 98.
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How to cite this paper
@article{1712976,
author = {Mayaki-Adeolu Felicia Foyeke},
title = {Impact of Dysmenorrhea on Academic Performance and Daily Activities among Female Undergraduate Students in Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {8},
pages = {578-580},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1712976.pdf},
abstract = {Background: Dysmenorrhea is a common menstrual disorder among young women and has been shown to negatively affect physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Among university students, menstrual pain may significantly interfere with academic engagement and daily activities.
Objective: This study assessed the impact of dysmenorrhea on academic performance and daily activities among female undergraduate students in a Nigerian private university.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 female undergraduate students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing experience of dysmenorrhea, its perceived impact on academic performance and daily activities, and selected socio-demographic variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables, and chi-square test was employed to examine the association between level of knowledge of dysmenorrhea and its academic impact at a 0.05 level of significance.
Results: Among respondents who experienced dysmenorrhea, 84.8% reported absenteeism from lectures, 82.5% reported difficulty concentrating in class, and 79.0% perceived a negative impact on their academic performance. Sleep disturbance (76.4%), emotional distress (71.2%), and reduced participation in physical or social activities (68.9%) were also commonly reported. No statistically significant association was found between level of knowledge of dysmenorrhea and its impact on academic performance (p = 0.110).
Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea significantly disrupts academic performance and daily functioning among female undergraduate students. Despite moderate knowledge levels, the academic burden of dysmenorrhea remains substantial. University policies that promote menstrual health support, academic flexibility, and accessible healthcare services are recommended.},
keywords = {Dysmenorrhea, Academic Performance, Daily Activities, Female Undergraduates, Nigeria},
month = {February},
}