Menopausal Management Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross Sectional Study of Cameroonian Women

Abstract

Background Menopause is a physiological state which induce deep changes in women’s life. Although the climacteric syndrome is very little studied within sub-Saharan women, certainly because of the impact of traditional culture, it have a considerable impact on the quality of life of post-menopausal women. The present study aims at evaluating menopausal management practices during menopause in Cameroonian women. Methods This study is a cross-sectional and analytical survey of a representative sample of 327 Cameroonian menopausal women. The main inclusion criteria was natural menopause. Investigation form was administrated to woman after their informed consent. Comparison of proportions and student t-test with a significance threshold of less than 0.05 was used. Results Women exhibit the majority of climacteric syndrome symptoms: hot flushes (57.80 %), night sweats (47.09%), sleep disturbances (59.63 %) and libido decline (66.67 %) among others. 69.72 % of menopausal women were not followed up although the majority of women (58.88 %) wished such medical care. 34.25 % of women of the study used self-medication to ease their symptoms. Attitude facing climacteric period is indifferent for 27.83 %. Socio-economic level was positively correlate to the attitude at menopause (Correlation index = 0.1644; p < 0.05) while professional statute was negatively correlate to medical care (Correlation index =-0.1610; p < 0.05). Conclusion Cameroonian women managed mainly climacteric symptoms by self-medication. Their socio-economic statute has a positive impact on their attitude during menopause. Furthermore, their professional statute is a decisive factor for medical care of climacteric symptoms.