Women’s awareness about menopausal symptoms and its management: a cross-sectional study in 2 selected settings of Asmara, Eritrea

Abstract

Objective: The authors tried to identify women’s level of awareness about menopausal symptoms and the measures they take to relieve the menopausal symptoms in selected areas of Asmara, Eritrea. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was utilized from November 1 to 21, 2018. Data about menopausal symptoms and the relieving measures taken were collected using a pretested questionnaire from 180 selected women from Asmara College of Health Sciences and Public Transportation of Zoba Maekel. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associations of demographic variables with level of awareness using SPSS (Version 22.0). Results: More than half of the study participants (56%) were between the age group of 40 and 45 and the mean age at which menopause had started was 45 years. About 52% of them reached menopause out of whom more than half (56%) were not aware of menopausal symptoms. The main menopausal symptoms mentioned were absence of periods (34.4%), followed by irritability (32.8%) and hot flashes (27.8%). About seven-tenth of the participants (68.3%) did not take any action to relive the menopausal symptoms. Women with higher level of education [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.12 (1.07, 3.96)], who were from a nuclear family [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.65 (0.76, 3.23)] were having a significantly better level of awareness about menopause and its symptoms. Conclusion: Majority of the women were not aware of the menopausal symptoms and the measures that should be taken. Appropriate actions to increase women’s awareness level regarding menopause should be incorporated as a critical aspect in promoting women’s health.