Effect of Dietary Patterns on Dysmenorrhoea among Rural Adolescents in Bangladesh

Abstract

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 312 adolescents girls (between 13 and 19 years) in the selected rural areas of Nawabganj upazila under Dhaka district, Bangladesh, between January and December of 2017, to determine the effect of dietary patterns on dysmenorrhoea among rural adolescent girls in Bangladesh. Adolescents who were unmarried, having history of menarche at least 2 years back and willing to participate in the study were included. However, adolescents having diseases like ovarian cyst, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and/or taking oral contraceptive pills for any hormonal issues, were excluded. Data collection was done by using a semi-structured questionnaire, which included participants age, height, weight, menstrual history, clinical features and patterns of dysmenorrhoea and dietary patterns which included dietary habits and frequency of meals. Data was collected through face-to-face interview. Dysmenorrhoea was assessed using the Verbal Multidimensional Scoring System (VMSS). The mean age of the participants was 15.7±1.23 years. Among 312 adolescent girls, 220(70.5%) reported some forms of dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain), while 92(29.5%) never experienced menstrual pain. Regarding clinical category, 25.3% experienced mild dysmenorrhoea, while 23.1% had moderate and 22.1% had severe dysmenorrhoea. Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was observed more among those who took breakfast and tiffin (snacks) ≥4 times/week. However, those differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Moreover, no association was observed between types of food intake (carbohydrate, protein, fruits, leafy vegetables, fast food and soft drink) and prevalence of dysmenorrhoea (p>0.05).

 CBMJ 2026 July: Vol. 15 No. 02 P:35-43