Souad Belkbier, Lubna Alsaudi, Balqees Nassar & Noor Nabresi

Faculty  of Medicine and  Health Sciences, Al-Najah National University, Department of  Family & Community Medicine.

Abstract

Introduction: Natural Menopause is associated with somatic, vasomotor, psychological, and sexual complaints that may affect quality of life. We determined the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on the quality of life among Palestinian women visiting primary care centers in Nablus.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 through March 2019.  In total, 380 women aged 45–60 years were conveniently interviewed Participants were divided into three categories: premenopausal (n=105), perimenopausal (n=75), and postmenopausal (n=200). The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms as well as quality of life. Mean scores of menopausal categories were compared for different symptoms. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5%. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.  

Results: The study included 380 Palestinian women aged 45–60 years with a mean age of 52.15 ± 4.7 years. In this study, age of onset of menopause (defined as an absence of period more than 12 months (N= 200) was found to be 49.37 ±3 years. The three most prevalent reported symptoms were physical and mental exhaustion (86%), anxiety (85.5%) and irritability (85.3). All somatic subscale symptoms were prevalent in the postmenopausal group. Only the prevalence of sleep problems was found to be statistically different between the three groups (P value=0.00).

Conclusion: Mean age of onset of menopause was found to be within the range of onset of natural menopause worldwide. The most prevalent symptoms at menopause were the psychological symptoms which indicate the need of psychological support activities for this age group. The average Palestinian MRS score after calculating the total score for each woman is 18.64 ± 9.19 SD indicating very severe symptoms, reflecting bad quality of life and poor ability to cope with climacteric symptoms.

 

  Keywords: Menopause, Palestinian women, Menopause Rating Scale, Quality of life.

 

Souad Belkbier, Lubna Alsaudi, Balqees Nassar & Noor Nabresi

Faculty  of Medicine and  Health Sciences, Al-Najah National University, Department of  Family & Community Medicine.

Abstract

Introduction: Natural Menopause is associated with somatic, vasomotor, psychological, and sexual complaints that may affect quality of life. We determined the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and their impact on the quality of life among Palestinian women visiting primary care centers in Nablus.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 through March 2019.  In total, 380 women aged 45–60 years were conveniently interviewed Participants were divided into three categories: premenopausal (n=105), perimenopausal (n=75), and postmenopausal (n=200). The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms as well as quality of life. Mean scores of menopausal categories were compared for different symptoms. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed. The level of significance was set at 5%. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.  

Results: The study included 380 Palestinian women aged 45–60 years with a mean age of 52.15 ± 4.7 years. In this study, age of onset of menopause (defined as an absence of period more than 12 months (N= 200) was found to be 49.37 ±3 years. The three most prevalent reported symptoms were physical and mental exhaustion (86%), anxiety (85.5%) and irritability (85.3). All somatic subscale symptoms were prevalent in the postmenopausal group. Only the prevalence of sleep problems was found to be statistically different between the three groups (P value=0.00).

Conclusion: Mean age of onset of menopause was found to be within the range of onset of natural menopause worldwide. The most prevalent symptoms at menopause were the psychological symptoms which indicate the need of psychological support activities for this age group. The average Palestinian MRS score after calculating the total score for each woman is 18.64 ± 9.19 SD indicating very severe symptoms, reflecting bad quality of life and poor ability to cope with climacteric symptoms.

 

  Keywords: Menopause, Palestinian women, Menopause Rating Scale, Quality of life.

Conference Title

3rd EMIRATES FAMILY MEDICINE SOCIETY CONGRESS 09 to 11 January 2020

Conference Country

United Arab Emirates

Conference Date

Jan. 9, 2020 - Jan. 11, 2020

Conference Sponsor

جمعية طب الاسرة الاماراتية

Additional Info

Conference Website