A Survey of Health Literacy and Academic Performance among Medical Female Students

A review of the menstrual symptoms

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and menstrual symptoms and academic performance among female medical students. Participants and Methods: This study included 192 female students who were enrolled in the physical therapy or occupational therapy department. The health literacy scale for women of reproductive age was used to classify them into low and high health literacy groups, and the results were compared between the two groups in terms of menstrual symptoms, behaviors, and academic performance. Results: The high group had higher water retention and pain factors associated with menstrual symptoms, and took more painkillers than the low group. The high group showed a lower level of commitment outside of class time and a higher number of presenteeism days compared with the low group. Conclusion: The high group consumed analgesic medication as a coping method for menstrual symptoms, but their academic performance was lower than that of the low group.