The prevalence of premenstruel syndrome in nursing / midwifery students and the relationship premenstruel syndrome and smoking behavior [Hemşirelik / Ebelik öğrencilerinde premenstrual sendrom yaygınlığı ve premenstrual sendromun sigara içme davranışı ile ilişkisi]

Abstract

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in nursing and midwifery students and the correlation between smoking behavior and the PMS. Methods: The sample of study consisted of 584 nursing and midwifery students (Nursing studens:334, midwifery students:250). There quired data were collected with Individual and Smoking Behavior Characteristics Form, Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMS) and Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Test (FNTT). Data were evaluated with Chi-Square tests and Oneway Anova. Results: The average age of the students was 19.94±1.77. The average age of menarche 13.27±1.19 and of 53.6% of students have regular menstrual cycle. The prevalence of PMS was 33% in the study group. Compared to the prevalenc e of PMS according to smoking status, it was found significant difference. Prevalence of PMS is lowest (28.7%) in students who never smoke during their life, while this ratio is 52.9%. The average PMS score was 98.15±35.83. When the total and subscale average scores of PMS were examined according to smoking status, it was found that total and subscale average scores of PMS to be significantly lower than those currently smoking andex-smoking(p<0.05). There is no significant relationship between currently smokers’s FNTT score and PMS score (p>0.05). Conclusion: Because, even once smoking is a factor affecting the prevalence of PMS among young girls, it is recommended activities preventing to start smoking and developing written and visual material about smoking prevention. © GATA.