IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2019i1p53-d299926.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Elia Fernández-Martínez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain)

  • María Dolores Onieva-Zafra

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, University of Castilla-La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Ana Abreu-Sánchez

    (Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain)

  • Juan José Fernández-Muñóz

    (Department of Psychology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain)

  • María Laura Parra-Fernández

    (Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, University of Castilla-La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain)

Abstract

Absenteeism can clearly have a negative impact on academic performance among university students. Certain experiences or symptoms such as menstrual pain are very common in women and can lead to absenteeism. The current study was aimed at examining the presence of menstrual experiences or symptoms and their impact upon absenteeism among healthy (illness-free) female university nursing students in Spain. A total of 299 students participated in this research, which was a descriptive cross-sectional, observational study. An ad hoc online questionnaire was used based on sociodemographic and gynecological data, together with the noted menstrual experiences; the most prevalent of which were bloating, which affected 87.3% of students; dysmenorrhea and irritability, which affected 76.3%; and fatigue, which affected 70.6%. Students with dysmenorrhea had a 6.95 higher (odds ratio (OR) 6.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.39–14.25) odds of absenteeism; in those who reported dizziness, the odds of absenteeism was 4.82 times higher (OR 4.82; 1.76–13.23); in those who manifested nausea and vomiting, the percentage of absenteeism was 3.51 higher (OR 3.51; 95% CI 1.51–8.15); in those who presented sleep alterations, the odds were 2.95 higher (OR 2.95; 95% CI 1.39–6.25); and for those who felt depressed the odds were 2.18 times higher (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.21–3.94) Absenteeism was found to be more likely in women with dysmenorrhea. However, in addition, higher odds of absenteeism were also found in women with nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sleep disorders, and those who feel depressed. These menstrual experiences can be considered a relevant problem among young women, leading to absenteeism, and a negative influence on academic performance. It is essential to raise awareness of the socioeconomic impact of absenteeism and establish new strategies for improving menstrual experiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Elia Fernández-Martínez & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Juan José Fernández-Muñóz & María Laura Parra-Fernández, 2019. "Absenteeism during Menstruation among Nursing Students in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:53-:d:299926
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/1/53/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/1/53/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scambler, Annette & Scambler, Graham, 1985. "Menstrual symptoms, attitudes and consulting behaviour," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 20(10), pages 1065-1068, January.
    2. Mike Armour & Kelly Parry & Mahmoud A Al-Dabbas & Christina Curry & Kathryn Holmes & Freya MacMillan & Tania Ferfolja & Caroline A Smith, 2019. "Self-care strategies and sources of knowledge on menstruation in 12,526 young women with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Jing Jing Su & Deborah Lindell, 2016. "Promoting the menstrual health of adolescent girls in China," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(4), pages 481-487, December.
    4. Hapuarachchige Sewvandi Maliga Sampath Kumari Wijesiri & Thusharie Sugandhika Suresh, 2013. "Knowledge and attitudes towards dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls in an urban school in Sri Lanka," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(1), pages 58-64, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ya-Lin Fu & Chia-Ling Yang & Shu-Chuan Yu & Yun-Hsuan Lin & Hsiao-Pei Hsu & Chiu-Mieh Huang, 2021. "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Menstrual Distress during Clinical Practice: A Q-Methodology Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mike Armour & Kelly Parry & Mahmoud A Al-Dabbas & Christina Curry & Kathryn Holmes & Freya MacMillan & Tania Ferfolja & Caroline A Smith, 2019. "Self-care strategies and sources of knowledge on menstruation in 12,526 young women with dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Kathryn Holmes & Christina Curry & Sherry & Tania Ferfolja & Kelly Parry & Caroline Smith & Mikayla Hyman & Mike Armour, 2021. "Adolescent Menstrual Health Literacy in Low, Middle and High-Income Countries: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Karen Birna Thorvaldsdottir & Sigridur Halldorsdottir & Denise M. Saint Arnault, 2021. "Understanding and Measuring Help-Seeking Barriers among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: Mixed-Methods Validation Study of the Icelandic Barriers to Help-Seeking for Trauma (BHS-TR) Scale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Santer, Miriam & Wyke, Sally & Warner, Pam, 2008. "Women's management of menstrual symptoms: Findings from a postal survey and qualitative interviews," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 276-288, January.
    5. Justin Sinclair & Susanne Armour & Jones Asafo Akowuah & Andrew Proudfoot & Mike Armour, 2022. "“Should I Inhale?”—Perceptions, Barriers, and Drivers for Medicinal Cannabis Use amongst Australian Women with Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    6. Felicity Roux & HuiJun Chih & Jacqueline Hendriks & Sharyn Burns, 2023. "Mixed Method Evaluation of My Vital Cycles ® : A Holistic School-Based Ovulatory Menstrual Health Literacy Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-18, May.
    7. Mikaeli Anne Carmichael & Rebecca Louise Thomson & Lisa Jane Moran & Thomas Philip Wycherley, 2021. "The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-24, February.
    8. Ernestina Coast & Samantha R. Lattof & Joe Strong, 2019. "Puberty and menstruation knowledge among young adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 293-304, March.
    9. Graham Scambler & Annette Scambler, 1986. "Minor Psychiatric Morbidity and Menstruation," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 32(3), pages 9-15, September.
    10. Ana Abreu-Sánchez & Javier Ruiz-Castillo & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández & Elia Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Interference and Impact of Dysmenorrhea on the Life of Spanish Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    11. Elia Fernández-Martínez & Tania Fernández-Villa & Carmen Amezcua-Prieto & María Morales Suárez-Varela & Ramona Mateos-Campos & Carlos Ayán-Pérez & Antonio José Molina de la Torre & Rocío Ortíz-Moncada, 2020. "Menstrual Problems and Lifestyle among Spanish University Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    12. Mikaeli A. Carmichael & Rebecca L. Thomson & Lisa J. Moran & Joel R. Dunstan & Maximillian J. Nelson & Michael L. Mathai & Thomas P. Wycherley, 2021. "A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
    13. Erik Piculell & Lisa Skär & Johan Sanmartin Berglund & Peter Anderberg & Doris Bohman, 2021. "Using a Mobile Application for Health Communication to Facilitate a Sense of Coherence: Experiences of Older Persons with Cognitive Impairment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-16, October.
    14. Elisabet Montoro-Fernández & Antonio Ramón Cárdenas-Gutiérrez & Antonio Bernal-Guerrero, 2022. "Entrepreneurial Resilience: A Case Study on University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, February.
    15. Chou, Yueh-Ching & Lu, Zxy-yann J. & Pu, Cheng-yun & Lan, Chung-Fu, 2008. "Predictors of female worker attitudes towards menstruation and the provision of help to institutionalized women with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(4), pages 540-545, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:53-:d:299926. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.