Effectiveness of Ginger Candy on Dysmenorrhea among Adolescent Girls of a Nursing College at Vadodara

Background of Study: Adolescence period for a girl is a time of physical and mental preparation for a safe mother. Dysmenorrhea is a painful menstrual cycle. It is characterized as painful pelvic pain that begins shortly before or early in the menstruation and lasts 1 to 3 days. Anxiety and fatigue were ongoing problems for girls with dysmenorrhea. There are a variety of options for treating dysmenorrhea that include a medical and non-medical approach. Ginger is a drug that is found to have a relaxation effect on muscle disorders which is why it can play a positive role in dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods: The present study aims to assess the effect of Ginger Candy on dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at College of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara. Quasi experimental study design was adopted for the study. A total of 60 samples (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) were selected using Non probability purposive sampling. The tool consists of socio-demographic variable, menstrual variables and Numerical pain rating scale to assess dysmenorrhea pain. Study participants were explained about the risks and benefits of the study and assured that anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Pre-test level of dysmenorrhea was assessed, Ginger candy was administered to participants in experimental group (morning and evening for first two days of menstruation). Post-test was conducted to assess dysmenorrhea pain using numeric pain rating scale. The data was arranged and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Present study results showed that in experimental group pre-test majority 21(70%) of adolescent girls had severe dysmenorrhea whereas in post-test majority 18(60%) had mild dysmenorrhea. In control group pre-test majority 19(63.3%) had severe dysmenorrhea while in post-test majority 23(76.7%) had moderate dysmenorrhea. Findings revealed that in experimental group post-test mean pain score was 3.37±1.189 and in control group post-test mean score was 5.07±1.202 with mean difference of 1.70 with obtained t value (t=5.509, df=58, p=0.001) was significant at p<0.05 level. There was no significant association found between dysmenorrhea and selected demographic variables of adolescent girls.