Community-based appraisal of menopause-specific health problems and quality of life among women of rural Western Maharashtra

Background: Menopause is an important hormonal transition of women's lifespan which can strike as early as 30-35 years of age. Menopause-specific quality of life (MENQoL) mainly depends upon awareness, frequency, and intensity of menopausal symptoms; sociocultural, lifestyle, and dietary factors; and availability of health services specifically focusing on these issues. As life expectancy increases, women have to spend more years after menopause. So menopause specific quality of life will be a major issue of concern in the near future. The aim of this study was to assess the post-menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) amongst post-menopausal women and their association with various sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: A community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken at Sakuri village among 100 postmenopausal women. Information was collected using MENQoL questionnaire. Unpaired t-test and Chi-squared test were used. Results: The mean age of participants and menopause was 51.8 +/- 4.54 years and 46.42 +/- 4.13 years, respectively. The major symptoms reported were hot flushes (70%), under accomplishment (100%), bloating (100%), decrease in physical strength (95%), and change in sexual desire (78%). Statistically significant association was found between age and psychosocial domain. QoL was associated with age and educational level. Conclusion: More than half of the participants had poor QoL for all four domains. Awareness about post-menopausal changes and available treatment modalities can improve QoL. Accessible and affordable gynaecological and psychiatric health services through channel of primary health care are necessary to alleviate these complaints.