Shazia Khokhar.
Knowledge, atitude and experience of menopause.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;52(2):42-6.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitude and experiences of post-menopausal women towards menopause. Study type, settings and duration: This cross sectional study was conducted at Gynaecology ward of Lyari General Hospital Karachi from May 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011. Subjects and Methods: Using convenient sampling postmenopausal women were selected from the OPD. Inclusion criteria were women with menopause of age ≥ 45 years. A questionnaire was designed which contained demographic characteristics of the respondents along with questions on menstrual status, knowledge and attitudes toward menopause and the information and use of hormone replacement therapy. Interviews were carried out by a third year resident in outpatient department. Results: A total of 170 women were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 57.3±7.5 years. Almost 80% women had prior knowledge of menopause (p<0.0001) while, only 46% were aware about its effect on health (p<0.355). Menopause was considered a normal event by 72% women. Only 13% women knew about hormone replacement therapy (p<0.0001). Following menopause 74% were bothered by its symptoms (p<0.0001) and only 36% were happy (p<0.321). Only 29% had consulted a physician for relief of their symptoms (p<0.0001) and only 1was on hormone replacement therapy (p<0.0001). Conclusion: High proportions of women were aware about menopause but few knew its health implications. Most of them were bothered by menopausal symptoms, but very few consulted doctor.

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