Menopause Symptoms, Complications and Preventive Methods: An Exploratory Assessment of Awareness Among 40 to 60 Years Age Women in District Hattian Bala

Tahira Amjad; Attiya Hameed Khan; Farah Tabassam; Sadaf Jamil; Mohsin Hameed Khan; Adnan Shah

Abstract:

This study shows to identify the awareness level regarding symptoms and complications of menopause among Women and to determine their knowledge regarding prevention of complications of menopause. It also identify the gaps if any, in their knowledge regarding prevention of complications of menopause and give viable recommendations for creating awareness about menopause and its management in women. It was Descriptive cross-sectional study and conducted over a period of 6 months, from August 2018 to January, 2019 in the villages of District Hattian Bala. Data was collected through structured questionnaire which contain both open and close ended questions. The questions were used for the assessment of awareness of respondent regarding menopause, its symptoms, complications and preventive methods among the women in menopause age group 40-60 years. Sample was collected by using multistage probability sampling method. SPSS was used for Statistical analysis of the data. The mean age of women was, (49.59±5.712) years, the mean age of menarche was, (14.32±.474) years, the mean age at menopause was, (42.54±1.191) years. Majority of respondent had known about menopause. 297 (99%) knew about menopause, those women who knows about the preventive and curative measures about menopause were 261 (87%). (70%) women of menopausal age group were aware regarding the common medical complications associated with menopause. 117 (39.0), of respondent get information from lady health workers, 39 (13.3%) from lady health visitor, 44 (14.67%) from friends / relatives and 38 (12.7%) from electronic media. The results show that awareness regarding menopause and its symptoms has significant positive correlation with awareness regarding common medical complications associated with menopause (r=.34, p<.01) and significant positive correlation also with awareness among respondents regarding preventive methods to overcome the complications (r=.18, p<.01). The values of Pearson Product Moment Correlation also indicate that strong positive correlation exist between awareness regarding common medical complications associated with menopause and awareness among respondents regarding preventive methods to overcome the complications (r=.23, p<.01). It is concluded that menopause is a natural process and it is not a disease, but it has pestiferous effects on women who are in the menopause age due to the destitution of knowledge and awareness. To abate these effects among postmenopausal women, education and medical discussion is necessary. By the results of our study which shows that most of the respondent had a knowledge regarding menopause its symptoms, complications and preventive methods. Education level also had a strong positive correlation exist between awareness regarding menopause its symptoms complications and preventive methods.

research from:

• Foundation University Medical College

Year:

2020

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Central African Journal of Public Health

Volume:

6

Number:

4

Pages:

226-231

Month:

8

DOI:

10.11648/j.cajph.20200604.17