Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome in a Sample of Nigerian Females

Abstract

The objective is to investigate and describe premenstrual syndrome severity (PMS) in a sample of Nigerian females and to explore the validity of an existing shortened premenstrual assessment form. A consecutive sample of 461 females was recruited to fill a daily premenstrual syndrome diary for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles. On the basis of these diaries, a physician made or ruled out a diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome. Those with premenstrual syndrome then filled a shortened premenstrual assessment form that employed a Likert-type scale. Data were used to calculate scores on a scale that ranged from 10 to 60. Descriptive statistics on the sample characteristics including means and standard deviation for questionnaire items were also computed. Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization was employed in principal factor analysis. Student’s t-test and one –way ANOVA were used for inferential statistics. The reliability of the shortened premenstrual assessment form was determined to be 0.769. The pain component contributed more to the severity of premenstrual syndrome (p<0.0001, F = 36.030). The severity of premenstrual syndrome in more
than half of the subjects (84.6%) was either very mild or mild. Only 3% had severe premenstrual symptoms. Age was associated with premenstrual
syndrome (p = 0.035, F = 2.927), while body mass index and monthly allowance of subjects were associated only with symptoms of affect.
The pain symptoms were the most severe component of PMS in the sample studied. Majority of the participants had very mild/mild PMS. We further
confirm the validity of the shortened premenstrual assessment form in a Nigerian setting.