Menopausal Perceptions and Experiences of Older Women from Selected Sites in Botswana

• 作者: Enock Ngome Njoku Ola Ama
• 来源期刊: 性医学进展(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: OLDER Women MENOPAUSE Knowledge PERCEPTIONS LOGISTIC Regression Factor Analysis
• 年，卷（期）: 2013,（3）
• 页码范围: 47-59
• 页数: 13页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

Objective: To assess the menopausal perceptions and experiences of older women from selected sites in Botswana. Design: This study used snowball sampling to recruit 444 older women in four health districts of Botswana. Trained research assistants administered a structured questionnaire to determine respondents’ menopausal symptoms, perceptions and knowledge of menopause and sexual experiences. Multiple logistic regression procedures were used to evaluate the association of socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge of menopause and factor analysis was used to cluster menopausal symptoms. Results: Participants had low levels of knowledge and awareness of menopause. The three most common changes identified were weakening of bones (78%), changes in sex drive (69.6%), and difficulty working (56.2%). The majority of respondents perceived menopause as freedom from menstrual cycles (85%) and cost saving (65%). Employment status was significantly associated with knowledge of menopause. The mean age at menopause was 48.9 years. With an average life expectancy of 54.5 years, there remains about 6 years of postmenopausal life. Recommendation: Public health care systems in and beyond Botswana should mobilize resources and take measures to improve older women’s awareness and knowledge about menopause-related changes through educational training and guidance to maintain active, healthy lives.