Relationship Between Financial Situation and Self-care for Menstrual Symptoms in Nursing College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

A survey using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was conducted on first- to fourth-year nursing students at public and private universities to clarify the relationship between the financial situation of nursing students and self-care for menstrual symptoms during the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The survey contained questions about financial situation, presence or absence of cohabitants, living expenses paid by nursing students, impact of COVID-19 on part-time work and the financial situation of parents, presence or absence of menstrual pain, a Visual Analogue Scale for menstrual pain, satisfaction with self-care for menstrual symptoms, and a self-care scale for menstrual pain.

The questionnaire was distributed to 550 nursing students and 343 (62.4%) questionnaire forms were recovered, of which 334 (60.7%) contained valid responses. Of the students, 36 had financial difficulties and 139 were financially comfortable. The greater the impact of COVID-19 on part-time work and the financial situation of parents, the greater the financial difficulties of the nursing students (p < 0.001). No significant difference was seen between financial situation and menstrual pain, but satisfaction with self-care for menstrual symptoms among those with financial difficulties was low (p < 0.01) and the predicted burden until improvement of menstrual pain was large (p < 0.05).

COVID-19 was associated with financial difficulty through its impact on the incomes of parents and part-time work of students themselves. The greater the financial difficulties of a student, the greater the perceived burden of self-care for menstruation. Support therefore needs to be provided for the healthcare of students, including financial assistance.