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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder amongst Nigerian university students: prevalence, comorbid conditions, and correlates

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Summary

Aims: The rate of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) amongst sub-Saharan Africans is unknown. This study aimed to estimate the rate of PMDD amongst Nigerian undergraduates and to evaluate psychosocial correlates and comorbid psychiatric conditions.

Method: Female university students (n = 410) completed questionnaires detailing sociodemographic, menstruation, and gynaecological history. They also completed the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI), and the presence of PMDD and any other DSM-IV axis 1 psychiatric diagnosis was assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).

Results: The prevalence of PMDD was 6.1% and the correlates included older age (p = 0.001), painful menstruation (p = 0.006), and high score on neuroticism scale (p = 0.019). Compared with participants without PMDD, participants with PMDD have significantly higher rates for the following psychiatric diagnoses: dysthymia (odds ratio [OR], 3.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–8.69), major depressive disorder (OR, 17.00; 95% CI, 6.72–43.00), panic disorder (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.35–14.30), and generalised anxiety disorder (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.21–17.83).

Conclusion: The rate of PMDD in sub-Saharan African women was comparable to that in the western cultures. Planning and implementing an effective strategy to manage perimenstrual problems in this region should be an issue of priority.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

    A. O. Adewuya

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

    O. M. Loto

  3. School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

    T. A. Adewumi

Authors
  1. A. O. Adewuya
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  2. O. M. Loto
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  3. T. A. Adewumi
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Correspondence to A. O. Adewuya.

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Correspondence: A. O. Adewuya, Department of Psychiatry, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Adewuya, A., Loto, O. & Adewumi, T. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder amongst Nigerian university students: prevalence, comorbid conditions, and correlates. Arch Womens Ment Health 11, 13–18 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0213-4

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