Effect of implementing audio-educational measures on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea among blind female students

Background: Young women, especially those with disabilities suffering from primary dysmenorrhea (PD), should be a cause for concern, as it negatively affects both their physical and mental health, as well as their future productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing audio-educational measures on the severity of PD among blind female students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at ۲ schools for blind females in Egypt in ۲۰۲۲. The sample consisted of ۴۰ blind female students who were selected randomly. The WaLIDD (working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, dysmenorrhea) scale was used to assess the degree of dysmenorrhea, while the ۱۲-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-۱۲) was used to evaluate their physical and mental well-being. The intervention program involved audio education sessions designed to improve their health, education, and skills, as well as reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea. These audio education sessions took place twice a week, with each session lasting ۴۵ minutes for a duration of ۳ months. Data analysis was performed using chi-square and paired sample t tests at a significance level of α = ۰.۰۵. Results: The average age of the participants was ۱۵.۵ ± ۱.۹۱ years. The findings showed that the implementation of the audio-educational intervention led to a significant reduction in the severity of dysmenorrhea symptoms, significant increase in general knowledge, and significant improvements in the physical and mental health of the participants (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Listening training was a positive and significant predictor for the health status of blind female students (ß = ۰.۶۱۴; P = ۰.۰۲۸), while the severity of dysmenorrhea was a significant negative predictor for their health status (ß = -۰.۰۴۶; P = ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The use of audio-educational measures is an effective strategy for increasing knowledge, practice, and health status while reducing the severity of dysmenorrhea among blind female students. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses educate blind teenage girls about menstruation and standard menstrual care to reduce dysmenorrhea and enhance their overall health. Additionally, dysmenorrhea and its management strategies should be included in school curricula for females.

Keywords:

Education , Menstruation , Dysmenorrhea , Blind females