Identification and Assessment of Premenstrual Symptoms and Syndromes in Women - An Epidemiological approach to the Investigation

Abstract

Lack of systematic date from India regarding an important aspect of women's mental and reporductive health necessitates an in depth evaluation and assessment of this area. This paper discusses methodological issues in assessing problems and prevalence of premenstrual symptoms and syndromes in a group of Indian women. The target population of 2400 women was systematically assessed towards the presence of different symptoms occuring in the premenstrual period. The various features for study were related to mod, cognition, physical symptoms and behaviour. An assessment was also made of the disability women faced because of this problem. The proportional division of the 2400 women was drawn on a stratified sampling basis with rerepresentation for
urban and rural groups in a 2:1 ratio. The selection of the sample provided adequate representation for various educational and occupational groups. The development and standardisation of instruments, training of field investigators and establishment of quality control formed other key components of the study. This paper also reviews the various epidemiological study.