Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Dysmenorrhea; Acupressure; Adolescent girls

Acupressure (Chinese-Tui na), is an alternative medicine technique often used in conjunction with acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through "meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points or ashi trigger points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices [1].

Objectives of the Study

1. To assess the pre-test and post-test level of dysmenorrhea pain in experimental and control group of adolescent girls.

2. To compare the pre and post-test scores within and between the experimental and control group.

3. To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on the level of dysmenorrhea pain in experimental and control group.

4. To find out an association between the pre-test scores of pain level in both experimental and control group with their selected sociodemographic variables.

A quasi experimental design with pre-test-post-test having non-equivalent control group was used. Population for the present study comprises of all subjects who were studying in nursing colleges, Bengaluru. The sample size for the present study consists of 60 subjects. In this study, Tippet Random Number Table was used for selecting the subjects from the sample frame [2].

The above Table 1 shows that In reference to age of the sample, in experimental group, 17(56.67%) belong to age group of 14-15 years, 7(23.33%) belong to age group of 12-13 years, 6(20%) belong to age group of 16 years and above. In control group 12(40%) belong to age group of 14-15 years, 9(30%) belong to age group of 12-13 years, 9(30%) belong to age group of 16 years and above. In context with the religion, in experimental group, 21(70%) belongs to Hindu religion, 7(23.33%) belongs to Muslim religion, 2(6.67%) belongs to Christian religion and in control group, 21(70%) belongs to Hindu religion, 6(20%) belongs to Muslim religion, 3(10%) belongs to Christian religion Considering the type of family, in experimental group, 17(56.67%) belongs to nuclear family, 7(23.33%) belongs to joint family and 6(20%) belongs to extended family and in control group, 18(60%) belongs to nuclear family, 7(23.33%) belongs to joint family and 5(16.67%) belongs to extended family. In relation to monthly income, in experimental group, 12(40%) having income of above 15,000, 10(33.33%) having income of 10,001 to 15,000, 4(13.33%) having income of 5001 to 10000, 4(13.33%) having income of Less than 5000 and in control group 12(40%) having income of 5001 to 10000, 11(36.67%) having income of 10001 to 15000, 4(13.33%) having income of above 15000, 3(10%) having income of Less than 5000. Pertaining to the education of mother, in experimental group 10(33.33%) samples had post graduate education, 9(30%) samples had undergraduate education, 6(20%) subjects are illiterate, 5(16.67%) subjects had higher secondary education and in control group 11(36.67%) subjects had higher secondary education, 9(30%) samples had undergraduate education, 7(23.33%) subjects are illiterate, 3(16.67%) subjects had post graduate education. In the aspect to education of father, in experimental group 10(33.33%) samples had higher secondary education, 9(30%) samples had undergraduate education, 8(26.67%) subjects had post graduate education, 3(10%) subjects are illiterate and in control group 11(36.67%) subjects had higher secondary education, 9(30%) samples are illiterate, 6(20%) subjects had undergraduate education, 4(13.33%) subjects had post graduate education. With regards to the source of income, in experimental group 16(53.33%) had no information, 6(20%) had information through mass media, 6(20%) had information through health professionals, 2(6.67%) had information through friends and relatives and in control group 15(50%) had no information, 6(20%) had information through mass media, 6(20%) had information through friends and relatives, 3(6.67%) had information through health professionals about acupressure on dysmenorrhea pain [3].

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables of the adolescent Girls according to age, religion, type of family, monthly income, education of mother, education of father, source of information about acupressure on dysmenorrhea pain level.

The below Table 2 shows that in reference to family history of dysmenorrhea of the samples, in experimental group, 25(83.3%) have no history of dysmenorrhea, 5(16.6%) have history of dysmenorrhea and in control group 23(76.6%) have no history of dysmenorrhea, 7(23.3%) have no history of dysmenorrhea. In context to the age at menarche, in experimental group, 20(66.6%) samples had menarche at 13-14 years, 8(26.6%) samples had menarche at 15-16 years, 2(6.6%) samples had menarche at 11-12 years and in control group, 22(73.3%) samples had menarche at 13-14 years, 5(16.6%) samples had menarche at 15-16 years, 3(10%) samples had menarche at 11-12 years [4].

Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of the adolescent Girls according to clinical profile proforma such as Family history of dysmennorrhea, Age at menarche, Length of cycles in days, Duration of bleeding, Menstrual cycle.

Considering the length of cycles in days, in experimental group, 22(73.3%) samples having 28-30 days length of cycles, 3(10%) samples having more than 36 days length of cycles, 3(10%) samples having less than 20 days length of cycles, 2(6.6%) samples having 31-35 days length of cycles and in control group, 24(80%) samples having 28-30 days length of cycles, 4(13.3%) samples having more than 36 days length of cycles, 1(3.3%) samples having less than 20 days length of cycles, 1(3.3%) samples having 31-35 days length of cycles. In relation to duration of bleeding, in experimental group, 26(86.6%) having bleeding for the duration of 3-5 days, 3(10%) having bleeding for the duration of 6-8 days, 1(3.3%) having bleeding for the duration of 8 days and above and in control group 26(86.6%) having bleeding for the duration of 3-5 days, 4(13.33%) having bleeding for the duration of 6-8 days, 0(0%) having bleeding for the duration of 8 days. Pertaining to the menstrual cycle, in experimental group 27(90%) samples had regular menstrual cycle, 3(10%) samples had irregular menstrual cycle and in control group 26(86.6%) samples had regular menstrual cycle, 4(13.3%) samples had irregular menstrual cycle [5].

The below Table 3 shows the distribution of dysmenorrhea pain level among adolescent girls before the application acupressure. It revealed that in pre-test, in experimental group, majority of the subjects, 24 (80%) had severe pain, 6 (20%) subjects had moderate pain, 0(0%) had mild pain and in control group majority of the subjects, 22 (73.3%) had severe pain, 8 (26.6%) subjects had moderate pain, 0(0%) had mild pain.

Table 3: Frequency and percentage distribution of adolescent girls according to the pre-test score of dysmenorrhea pain level in both experimental and control group.

The below Table 4 shows the distribution of dysmenorrhea pain level among adolescent girls after the application acupressure. It revealed that in post-test, in experimental group, majority of the subjects, 24 (80%) had mild pain, 6 (20%) subjects had moderate pain, 0(0%) had severe and in control group majority of the subjects, 25 (83.3%) had moderate pain, 5 (16.6%) subjects had mild pain, 0(0%) had severe pain.

Table 4: Frequency and percentage distribution of adolescent girls according to the post-test score of dysmenorrhea pain level in both experimental and control group.

The below Table 5 shows: Median, Inter quartile range and Z value of pre and post-test level of pain score among experimental and control group, since the scores were ordinal, hence equal non parametric test (Wilcoxon signed rank test) was used to find out the effectiveness of acupressure on dysmenorrhea pain. Pre-test median 7.5, IQR 7.8 whereas in the post test median 2 with IQR 2-4 the calculated Wilcoxon’s test value was Z=4.81 P<0.001 level in experimental group, whereas in control group Pre-test median 8 with, IQR 7.8 whereas in the post test median 4.5 with IQR 3-6 was Z=4.85 at P<0.001 level. Hence, it shows highly statistical significance between the pre-test and post-test level of pain among the adolescent girl in both experimental and control group.

Table 5: Median, Inter quartile range and Z value of pre and post-test level of dysmenorrhea pain score among within experimental and control group.

From the below Table 6 shows that the Mann-Whitney U-test was worked to compare pre-test test mean scores of level of dysmenorrhea pain between the experimental group and control group and the Mann- Whitney U-test value was 38.58 at level p>0.005. There was no statistical significant at level p>0.005. It is evidenced that the level before the intervention both the groups similar.

Table 6: Median, Inter Quartile range and Z value of pre-test in level of dysmenorrhea pain in between experimental group and control group and its statistical significance.

From the below Table 7 shows that the Mann-Whitney U-test was worked to compare post-test mean scores of level of dysmenorrhea pain between the experimental group and control group and the Mann-Whitney U-test value was 3.88 at level p<0.001. It was found to be significant at level p<0.001. It is evidenced that the level of dysmenorrhea pain was found to be statistically significant among the adolescents girls had intervention acupressure (experimental group) than those who were not administered acupressure (control group) [6].

Table 7: Median, Inter Quartile range and Z value of post-test in level of dysmenorrhea pain in between experimental group and control group and its statistical significance.

The chi-square was carried out to determine the association between the dysmenorrhea pain levels with their selected demographic variables among adolescent girls such as age, religion, type of family, monthly income, education of mother, education of father, source of information about acupressure on dysmenorrhea pain level. Out of which none of the demographic variables are significantly associated with dysmenorrhea pain level in experimental group at 5% level (P<0.05). From the analysis it is concluded that there is no close relationship between the demographic variables of the respondents and level of dysmenorrhea pain in pre-test of experimental group of the respondent. Thus, null hypothesis was accepted and research hypothesis was rejected (Table 8 and 9).

Table 8: Association between the pre-test score of dysmenorrhea pain level among adolescent girls in experimental group with their socio demographic variables.

Table 9: Association between the pre-test score of dysmenorrhea pain level among adolescent girls in control group with their socio demographic variables.

The present study gives the evidence regarding the decrease in the pain level by applying the acupressure on particular site. In order to achieve it, the nurse educator should focus on strengthening the subject in the nursing curriculum. Continuing educational programme can be conducted among nurses and all health personnel to identify the needs of cost effective management and evidence based practice. Workshops, symposium, and discussion programmes and demonstration can be arranged in educational institutions. The students, nurses and all health personnel should be given responsibility to teach the public.

1. A similar study can be undertaken with a large sample for better generalization of the finding.

2. A similar study can be undertaken among young adult groups.

3. A similar study can be conducted to identify knowledge of health personnel regarding application of acupressure on particular sites decrease in the level of dysmenorrhea pain among adolescent girls.

None.

The author’s declared that they have no conflict of interest.

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