Living with Restrictions. The Perspective of Nursing Students with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Elia Fernández-Martínez, Ana Abreu-Sánchez, Juan Francisco Velarde-García, María Teresa Iglesias-López, Jorge Pérez-Corrales and Domingo Palacios-Ceña
Additional contact information
Elia Fernández-Martínez: Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Avenida Tres de Marzo s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Ana Abreu-Sánchez: Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, Avenida Tres de Marzo s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Juan Francisco Velarde-García: Department of Nursing, Red Cross College, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reina Victoria 28, 28003 Madrid, Spain
María Teresa Iglesias-López: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Crta. Pozuelo—Majadahonda km 1800, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
Jorge Pérez-Corrales: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum & QRinHS), Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Domingo Palacios-Ceña: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum & QRinHS), Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) affects a large number of female university students, diminishing their quality of life and hindering academic performance, representing a significant cause of absenteeism. The purpose of our study was to determine how nursing students experienced restrictions as a result of primary dysmenorrhea. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted among 33 nursing students with primary dysmenorrhea. A purposeful sampling strategy was applied. Data were collected from five focus groups (two sessions each) and the field notes of 10 researchers. A video meeting platform was used to conduct the focus groups. A thematic inductive analysis was performed. Thirty-three female nursing students participated in the study with a mean age of 22.72 (SD 3.46) years. Three broad themes emerged: (a) restrictions on daily activities and sports; (b) academic restrictions, and (c) restrictions on social and sexual relationships. The students described restrictions in performing everyday activities, such as carrying weight, and shopping. Some students even gave up the practice of sports and were absent from classes at the university, and from clinical practices at the hospital. The pain affected their ability to maintain and create new social relationships. Primary dysmenorrhea caused restrictions in the personal, social and academic life of the nursing students.

Keywords: dysmenorrhea; pelvic pain; nursing students; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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