Open AccessKnowledge, attitudes and practices towards menopause among Congolese middle-aged and postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Sifa Marie Joelle Muchanga,
Anyeke Louise Lumumba,
Bebele Jean Patrice Kamba,
Etongola Papy Mbelambela,
Antonio Fredelindo Villanueva,
Marlinang Diarta Siburian,
Rahma Rashid Tozin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the pan african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.287
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1937-8688
DOI - 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.315.20342
Subject(s) - menopause , medicine , life expectancy , family medicine , rating scale , postmenopausal women , gerontology , gynecology , population , environmental health , psychology , developmental psychology
with the increase in life expectancy, women will live longer during their postmenopausal period. To improve their quality of life, they should be aware of what challenges they will be facing. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of middle-aged women towards menopause. Methods in this cross-sectional study, data collected using a multistage clustered random sampling from 54 health centres in the Democratic Republic of Congo were used. Participants filled a questionnaire derived from the menopause rating scale and from local beliefs. The knowledge, attitudes and practices towards menopause were evaluated among pre- and postmenopausal women. Results of the 353 women, both pre- and postmenopausal women knew the definition of menopause but for the symptoms, postmenopausal women were more informed than premenopausal. For the attitudes and practices towards menopause, while both had equally positive attitudes, the premenopausal women did not know which practice to adopt. Conclusion Congolese women had limited knowledge, positive attitudes and unconventional practices towards menopause. Health-care providers, therefore, need to dispense appropriate advice to middle-aged women before the advent of menopause.