European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

350 Moronkola, O.A and Aladesanyi, O.A
Discussion
The overall response rate of 80.6% was considered good for this study. The use of female research
assistants (fellow students) made it possible to attain the responses got in this study.
Majority of study participants 73.0% recalled that they had menarche between 11-15 years
which is consistent with literature.
13, 14, 15
More than 50.0% of the study participants experienced one form of symptom premenstrual
syndrome or the other. Among Afrikaans speaking university students in USA, premenstrual symptoms
or sign experienced were irritability 87.0%, depression 87.0%, moodiness 77.0%, anxiousness 31.0%,
headache 47.0%, breast tenderness 71.0%, fatigue 77.0%. 5 Generally, depressive mood, irritability,
increase tendency to accidents and criminal behaviour, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
are found in literature as premenstrual syndrome.8 Depending on the methodology used by the
researchers, it has been shown that between 30.0% and 90.0% of women reported some physical or
emotional premenstrual symptomalogy. 9 The full range of premenstrual syndrome includes: confusion,
disorientation, intemperate judgments and decision making, moods swings, body aches, anger and
verbal abuse, lethargy alternating with increased energy, alienation, guilt (at having abused friends),
lack of self-esteem, craving for sweet especially chocolate. People experiencing PMS may have
degrees of severity, from mild to overwhelming. 16 Recent studies shows that as many as 80.0%
American women have PMS at sometime during the average 400 menstrual cycles occurring between
menarche and menopause or the time between when the menstrual period start at puberty and when it
ceases after menopause. 17
In London, out of 79.0% of women who participated in a study had the responses as
premenstrual syndrome symptoms experienced thus; irritability 38.0%, swelling 24.0%,
headache/depression/moods/weight gain 19.0%, fatigue 18.0%, tender breasts 14.0%, pain 13.0% and
anxiety 11.0%. 18 It is a well known fact that breast symptoms are associated with PMS. 19
In a study among Nigerian schools, in general, about 10.0%-22.0% of the school girls reported
severe premenstrual symptoms in all symptom-complex categories the proportion being highest for
behavioural change 22.0%, arousal 20.6%, physical symptoms 18.7% and concentration 16.7%. 20
Many social, cultural, economic and individual factors contribute to increase risk and
vulnerability among young people. Knowledge about habits and practices prevalent among adolescents
and young adults is important from the public health point of view, since it provides a solid basis for
structuring preventive strategies, evaluating ongoing interventions and undertaking epidemiologic
surveillance. 21 A study among university of Ibadan students found 46.1% drinking alcohol, 28.6%
reported no day exercise per week. 12 Alcohol consumption affect the body in several ways including
dilation of blood vessels, affect negatively body organs, increases urine production, leads to damage to
brain tissue, leads to cirrhosis of the liver, increases the amount of sugar in the blood stream as well as
nutritional deficiencies. 3
Physical activity is fundamental to daily life, 22 and participation in physical activities/exercises
improve physical, mental and social health. Nevertheless, many people especially female students who
are not athletes often times do not engage in physical activities intentionally. The major reason for non
participation in sports or physical activities by people may be time availability. 23,24 Though tertiary
education is demanding to students, there is the need to relax against stress. Premarital sex with its
attendant health consequences are common among young people, especially with the scourge of
sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. 25,26,27 Coffee intake often leads to insomnia and
there is the need for caution against its use. 28,29
In vast majority of African countries, abortion remains both unauthorized and unsafe. 10 In
countries where access to safe abortion is restricted, the situation is notably precarious for unmarried
women especially adolescents who have little or no access to reproductive information and counselling
and are frequently excluded from contraceptive services. 27 . Limited information available to
adolescents may indicate that conservative values may not be protecting them from sexual
experimentation. 30 There is an urgent need for health education intervention programme against health