Saúde mental de mulheres no climatério: crenças, percepções e enfrentamentos

Mental health of women during climacteric: beliefs, perceptions and confrontations Menopause is a reality at homes which is independent of social class, religious beliefs and precepts. The objective was to examine the mental health of postmenopausal women through their beliefs, perceptions and confrontations. This was a qualitative cross-sectional study conducted with 33 peri-menopausal women, in December 2007 and February 2012, at the Center for Integrated Medical Attention (NAMI) and the Health Centre Mattos Dourado. We used semi-structured interviews and free observation. Based on the health belief model, data were grouped into categories: susceptibility to mental illness, perception of women regarding the severity of complaints, benefits and barriers found to overcome the complaints. It was evident that susceptibility was related to the mental difficulties, fear, depression, anxiety and distress. These problems were also identified as barriers for women. The risk of death was the main factor perceived as severity. Artigo recebido em 1 de agosto de 2012; aceito em 30 de setembro de 2013. Endereço para correspondência: Francisca Maria Aleudinelia Monte Cunha, Avenida Padre Antonio Tomás, 2035, 60140-160 Fortaleza CE, E-mail: aleudinelia@yahoo.com.br, rmsilva@unifor.br