A Cross-sectional Study of Menstrual Abnormalities among General Nursing and Midwifery Students at Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata

Abstract

Background: Menstrual abnormalities are common concerns among young females and may affect wellbeing, attendance and academic engagement. This study assessed the pattern of menstrual abnormalities among General Nursing and Midwifery students at the School of Nursing, Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted over approximately 45 days, from 3 September 2024 to 17 October 2024. All 160 students in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years were approached by the census method. After excluding four students who did not provide consent and three who were ill, 153 participants were included. Data were collected anonymously using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, behavioural characteristics and menstrual abnormalities. Data were entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel using means, ranges and proportions. Results: The mean age of participants was 21.65 ± 2.21 years, and the average age at menarche was 12.79 ± 1.21 years. The average menstrual cycle length was 29.35 ± 6.03 days, and the average duration of bleeding was 4.35 ± 1.06 days. Dysmenorrhoea was the most frequently reported abnormality (77.8%), followed by polycystic ovarian disease (18.3%), oligomenorrhoea (3.3%), polymenorrhoea (2.6%) and intermenstrual bleeding (2.0%). College absenteeism was reported by 11.1% of participants, degradation of academic performance by 17.0% and social withdrawal by 9.2%. Conclusion: Dysmenorrhoea and PCOD were common among the participants. The findings are institution-specific and descriptive; therefore, broader analytical studies are needed.