Nisar Nusrat, Zehra Nishat, Haider Gulfareen, Munir Aftab, Naeem Asia.
Knowledge, attitude and experience of menopause.
J Ayub Med Coll Abottabad Jan ;20(1):56-9.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of women towards menopause and to investigate the symptoms experienced by postmenopausal women. Design: It was a cross sectional survey based on sample of convenience. Place and Duration of study: Study was conducted at out patient department of Isra university hospital from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2006. Methods: Total 863 women of age 42 to 80 years were interviewed in office of out patient department. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis done by computer software statistical program for social sciences (SPSS) version 11.0. Results: Mean age of respondents was 55.05, Menopause was natural in 727 (84.24%) women and 136 (15.75%) had surgical menopause. 680 (78.79%) women had little knowledge about menopause, while 137 (15.8%) women knew about effects and symptom of menopause. 680 (78.79%) women considered menopause as a natural process, while 183 (21.2 %) perceived it as a disease, 720 (83.42%) women were happy about cessation of menses and they did not want to have menses again, while 143 (16.57%) women wanted to have menses again. These women were of age 45 to 58 years and 85 (59.4%) were uneducated. Frequently reported symptoms were Backache in 653 (75.66%), body aches, 576 (66.74%) and Insomnia in 544 (63.44%) women. Vasomotor symptoms (Hot Flushes and Night Sweats) were reported by 513 (59.4%) and 390 (45.19%) respectively. Short loss of memory was reported by 536 (62.10%) women. 318 (36.84%) women were bothered by menopausal symptoms but only 275 (31.86%) has consulted doctor. 649 (75.20%) women were not taking any medicine for symptoms, 08 (0.926%) were taking Herbs, 10 (1.15%) were on HRT and 196 (22.71%) women were taking analgesics and Ca supplements off and on. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus was present in 180 (20.85%), 215 (24.9%) women respectively. Conclusion: Majority of our women were unaware of menopausal symptoms and its health effects. Most of them considered it as a natural process of aging, though bothered by symptoms but did not go for consultation due to lack of awareness and poverty.

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