Assess the Level of Knowledge and Distribution of Menopausal Symptoms among Postmenopausal Women Attending Gynecology OPD in Jipmer, Puducherry

Akanksha Pande, Vahitha S., Haritha Sagili

Abstract: Background: Menopause is a biological stage in a woman’s life which shows her closure to the end of reproductive age or fertility period. Aim: This study is aimed to assess knowledge and distribution of Menopausal symptoms among postmenopausal women. Methods: It was a quantitative cross- sectional descriptive study, conducted among 145 postmenopausal women attended Gynecology OPD in JIPMER. The data was collected by using the structured interview schedule, validated knowledge questionnaire and standardized Menopause rating scale (MRS Tool). Result: The result showed that among all the postmenopausal symptoms, the most frequently reported symptoms were joint and muscular discomfort (82.1 %), sleep problems (79.3 %), depression (73.1 %) and physical and mental exhaustion (62.8 %). Majority (48.3 %) of them had moderate level of symptoms. Majority (84.8 %) had an inadequate level of knowledge. Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that the level of knowledge regarding menopause was inadequate and most of them were having moderate level of menopausal symptoms. Thus there is need to increase knowledge of elderly women regarding menopause and its symptoms through proper heath education and counseling and the health care service providers should pay more attention towards postmenopausal women’s health so that the health of the elderly women can be improved.

Keywords: Postmenopausal women, knowledge, distribution, menopausal symptoms, menopause rating scale