Aruna Kumari et al.; International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology © 2020, www.IJARIIT.com All Rights Reserved Page |958 ISSN: 2454-132X Impact factor: 6.078 (Volume 6, Issue 3) Available online at: www.ijariit.com Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls of Govt. Senior Secondary Schools of District Mandi, H.P. Aruna Kumari salwaniaruna@gmail.com Centre for Public Health and Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh Dr. H. S. Chauhan drhsc26@gmail.com Centre for Public Health and Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh Dr. NL Gupta drnlg.sml@gmail.com Centre for Public Health and Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh Anureet Sohal anureetgill888@gmail.com Centre for Public Health and Healthcare Administration, Eternal University, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh ABSTRACT Background: Adolescence is most important stage of human life, particularly in adolescent girls as it lays down the conditions for healthy and safe procreation. Many girls face problems in their menstrual cycle including dysmenorrhea, which has figured less in past research studies. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescent school girls, to determine the association between the dysmenorrhea and quality of life as well as with other selected variables. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 378 adolescent Senior Secondary School girls of 13-18 years of age, selected through multistage sampling technique using structured pretested questionnaire. The data was computed and analyzed in SPSS 23 version. Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 65.3%. Most of the students were in the age group of 15-16 years. The mean age of respondents was 15.26±1.293 years while it was 13.41±.682 for menarche. The most common symptoms reported were backache in 66.7% and irritability in 40.7% of the cases. The study found positive association between dysmenorrhea and family history and fruit intake. Dysmenorrhea was also found related with school absenteeism, poor exam grades, poor interpersonal relationship, decreased concentration in class and day-to-day activity. Conclusion: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls was relatively high. The pain suffered could be severe that affected school absenteeism, social and academic performance and day-to-day activities. Association of dysmenorrhea was found to be significantly associated with age of menarche while it was highly significant with family history and fruits. Keywords⸻ Dysmenorrhea, Prevalence, Adolescent girls, Quality of life 1. INTRODUCTION Adolescence is the most significant part of our lives particularly in case of adolescent girls who are the only source of procreation. Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood and is categorized by a spurt in physical, endocrinal, emotional, and mental growth, with a change from complete dependence to relative independence. This phase of life for a girl is a period of physical and psychological preparation for safe motherhood. [1] WHO has defined adolescence as the age group of 10-19 years. [2] Adolescents in India comprise 19.3% of the total Indian population. [3] One of the major physiological changes that take place in teenage girls is the onset of menarche. Of these, dysmenorrhea is one of the common problem experienced by most of the teenage girls. [4] Dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin. Studies point out that it is common gynecological ailment that can affect as many as 50% of women. This situation not only has a significant effect on quality of life and personal health but also has a global economic impact. [5] Dysmenorrhea has its impact on academic performance, college, sports and social activities of girls. But very few girls pursue health care for problem of dysmenorrhea. [6] The frequency of fast food intake is also associated with menstrual abnormalities including dysmenorrhea. [7] Many teenagers consider dysmenorrhea to be a normal part of the menstrual cycle and thus fail to report their pain to their physicians. [8] Dysmenorrhea is not a disease but it has definite negative effects on daily activities and works of women in and out of the home and may depreciate their living. [9] There are two types of dysmenorrhea – primary and secondary. Although primary dysmenorrhea is difficult to diagnose due to different