The relationship of perceived severity of premenstrual syndrome with knowledge, attitude and recorded severity of  syndrom by a daily calendar among university students in Iran

Background & aim: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a set of psychological and physical symptoms, which interfere with one’s daily life. The aim of this study was to determine whether the perceived severity of PMS symptoms is correlated with knowledge, attitude, and severity of this condition according to the daily registration calendar among students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Methods:This descriptive, analytical study was performed on 55 first-year bachelor students, who were residents of Ferdowsi University dormitories from February 2013 to June 2013. Data collection tools included the selection form, general health questionnaire, PMS diagnosis form (derived from DSM-IV), questionnaire of menstrual information, demographic characteristics, and perceived severity of PMS symptoms, questionnaires on knowledge and attitude towards PMS, and the daily registration calendar. For data analysis, descriptive and analytical tests were performed, using SPSS version 16.0. Results: The results showed thatknowledge about PMS was significantly correlated with the perceived severity of PMS (P=0.009, rSp=-0.35). However, there was no significant correlation between students’ attitude towards PMS and perceived severity of this condition (P=0.54, rSp=0.08). Also, no significant difference was found between the perceived severity of PMS symptoms and the severity of symptoms, according to the daily registration calendar (P=0.86, rSp=0.02). Conclusion: Based on the findings, the perceived severity of PMS symptoms was not significantly correlated with students’ attitude towards PMS or PMS severity, based on the daily registration calendar. However, there was a significant correlation between knowledge about PMS and perceived severity of this condition; therefore, planning is essential for improving students’ knowledge on this issue.