Hubungan Asupan Kalsium, Zat Besi, dan Status Gizi dengan Kejadian Dismenorea pada Mahasiswi Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat USU

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a gynecological complaint caused by an imbalance of the hormone progesterone in the blood, causing pain before menstruation. Factors that cause dysmenorrhea include nutrient intake, nutritional status, age of menarche, duration of menstruation, menstrual cycle, and family history. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of calcium, iron intake, and nutritional status with the incidence of dysmenorrhea among female students of Faculty of Public Health Universitas Sumatera Utara. This research method is analytical with a cross-sectional approach. This study was conducted at the USU Faculty of Public Health with a sample of 189 female students of the 2024 intake using a simple random sampling technique. Nutritional intake (calcium and iron) was obtained using a 24-hour food recall form and processed with a nutrisurvey. Nutritional status was categorized based on BMI/U. Dysmenorrhea data were obtained using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The results of the study using the chi-square test showed a significant relationship between calcium intake and the incidence of dysmenorrhea (p = 0.024) where there was a tendency for female students with sufficient calcium intake not to experience dysmenorrhea by 83.3 percent. There was a relationship between iron intake and the incidence of dysmenorrhea (p = 0.0001) where there was a tendency for female students with sufficient iron intake not to experience dysmenorrhea by 74.2 percent. There was no relationship between nutritional status and the incidence of dysmenorrhea (p = 0.087). It is hoped that the results of this study can provide information and education to female students to pay more attention to balanced nutritional intake so that they do not experience dysmenorrhea during menstruation.