Knowledge, Attitude, Symptoms, and Management Practices among Middle-aged Menopausal Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstrual periods following the loss of ovarian follicular activity. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Almost all women experience this phase and undergo various symptoms. However, menopause and its symptoms are often perceived as a normal phenomenon by women. Therefore, it is necessary to educate women about the complications of menopause and strategies to cope with them. Aim: To assess knowledge and attitude on menopause and management practices of menopausal symptoms among women aged 40-55 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted for seven months, from June 11, 2019, to December 31, 2019, among 196 naturally menopausal women aged between 40 and 55 years residing in Ashok Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire that included information on sociodemographic profiles, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) towards menopause. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: Of the study participants, 109 (55.6%) were found to have average knowledge regarding menopause, 176 (89.8%) had a neutral attitude towards menopause, and approximately 173 (88.3%) had average practices towards managing menopausal symptoms. Conclusion: The study participants exhibited average knowledge and neutral attitudes towards menopause. Their management practices for menopausal symptoms were also found to be average. There is an urgent need to raise awareness among women regarding knowledge about menopause.