evaluate the effect of local heat application on relieving primary dysmenorrhea among nursing students. Setting: the study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing at Benha University. Research design: A quasi-experimental design. Sampling: A systematic random sample of 150 students suffered from primary dysmenorrhea was divided into two equal groups; study group who applied local heat application and control group who used their usual self-care measures. Tools of data collection: three main tools were used; modified dysmenorrhea identification sheet, structured interviewing questionnaire and visual analog scale. Results: before local heat application, there was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding the severity of primary dysmenorrhea. After local heat application, there was a highly statistically significant difference between the study and control group (p 0.001), pain decreased in the study group more than control group. Conclusion: local heat application by using small heated pillow filled with uncooked rice was effective in reducing the severity of primary dysmenorrhea, and decreasing days of absenteeism in the study group than the control group. |
