Factors influencing healthy menopause among immigrant women: a scoping review

Ping Zou,Yanjin Huang,Hui Zhang,Yan Luo,Thumri Waliwitiya,Winnie Sun,Jing Shao

doi:10.1186/s12905-021-01327-z

Abstract

BackgroundMany factors influence the menopausal transition and the complexity of this transition increases with the addition of immigration transition. This review aims to identify the factors that influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women based on ecosocial theory.MethodsA scoping review of English publications was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using CINAHL, AgeLine, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycARTICLES, Sociology Database, and Education Research Complete. Thirty-seven papers were included for this review.ResultsThe factors which influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women were grouped into three categories: (a) personal factors, (b) familial factors, and (c) community and societal factors. Personal factors include income and employment, physical and psychological health, perceptions of menopause, and acculturation. Familial factors include partner support, relationships with children, and balancing family, work, and personal duties. Community and societal factors encompassed social network, social support, healthcare services, traditional cultural expectations, and discrimination in host countries.ConclusionsInterventions addressing the menopausal transition for immigrant women should be designed considering different psychosocial factors and actively work to address systemic barriers that negatively impact their transition.

Highlights

Many factors influence the menopausal transition and the complexity of this transition increases with the addition of immigration transition
This review aims to explore the psychosocial factors related to the menopausal transition of immigrant women
Characteristics of included studies Thirty-seven articles were included in this review (Table 1 & Additional File 1): twenty-two (58%) were conducted in the United States of America, five (14%) in Asia, four (11%) in Australia, five (14%) in Europe, and one (3%) in both North America and Asia

Summary

Introduction

Many factors influence the menopausal transition and the complexity of this transition increases with the addition of immigration transition. This review aims to identify the factors that influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women based on ecosocial theory. Menopause is reached when a woman experiences a consecutive year of natural amenorrhea without any causal pathological reasons [1]. The menopausal transition is characterized by the presence of menopause-related symptoms and there are often limited options for managing these symptoms. Many factors can affect a woman’s menopausal transition. The complexity of the menopausal transition increases with the addition of an immigration transition as it adds another level of intricacy consisting of migratory, cultural, traditional, economic, Most of the current research on menopause focuses heavily on the biological aspect of this transitional stage of life.

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