Abstract
Research question
Would a properly designed educational programme offered to young women improve their
awareness and fundamental knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis?
Design
A multinational cross-sectional study using a pen-and-paper questionnaire among women
aged 19–24 years was conducted between 2017 and 2019 to assess fundamental knowledge
of menstrual pain and endometriosis. Improvement in knowledge was also analysed using
a separate questionnaire completed before, and 1–3 months after, a group discussion,
lecture on menstrual pain and endometriosis, or both.
Results
Among three groups of students (college [n = 271], medical [n = 877] and nursing [n = 763]), knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis was lowest among college students,
modest among nursing students and fair among medical students (P < 0.001 for each). The experience of cyclical pain, even when painkillers were taken,
was reported by 15.5%, 4.6% and 3.8% of students, respectively. Most students managed
their cyclical pain by enduring it or by taking over-the-counter medication. An informative
education programme with group discussions, lectures, or both, was successful in improving
knowledge and consequences of menstrual pain and endometriosis. Proper education and
dissemination of knowledge to college students failed to motivate them to visit gynaecologists;
however, medical and nursing students became highly interested in visiting gynaecologists.
Conclusions
An educational programme can improve awareness and knowledge of endometriosis and
dysmenorrhoea among young women. The programme motivated nursing and medical students,
but not college students, to seek medical attention for early detection and management
of endometriosis.
KEYWORDS
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Biography
Khaleque N Khan, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Project Coordinator of the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Kyoto, Japan. His main research interest is the pathogenesis and physiopathology of endometriosis, adenomyosis and uterine myoma. He has published over 100 articles in eminent peer-reviewed journals.
Key message
A rudimentary knowledge of menstrual pain and endometriosis was found in young women. A proper and targeted educational plan is needed for adolescent girls and young women to improve fundamental knowledge of the consequences of menstrual pain and endometriosis, and to increase awareness and motivation to seek medical attention.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 17, 2022
Accepted:
July 12,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 19,
2022
Received:
March 30,
2022
Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
