An assessment of knowledge and perception about menopause and effects of menopausal symptoms among menopausal women in Male', Maldives / Mohamed Fazeen

Abstract

This study was a descriptive study research examining the participant's knowledge and perception towards menopause, effects of menopausal symptoms and experience of sexual activities among 45 to 65 years aged woman in Male', Maldives. Moreover, this study was to assess whether there were any relation between the participant's socio demographic characteristics (age, level of education and monthly income) and perception, knowledge and level of sexual experiences. Data was obtained from 291 participants from four wards of Male', Maldives, aged from 45 to 65 years with inclusion criteria which were included in the study.
There were significant associations between age, education and income and their perceptions and knowledge about menopause, effects of menopausal symptoms and their level of sexual activities. The level of income of the study population and the level of their sexual activities had a very strong bond.
However the participants had very depraved perception towards menopause and its symptoms. 99% participant were effected with one or the other symptoms such as hot flashes, irregular periods, loss of interest in sex and sexual activities, pain and dryness of vagina when having sexual intercourse.

Key word: Menopause, Symptoms, Perception, Sexual activity, Knowledge