Assessment of Menopause- related Quality of Life and Effectiveness of Health Education on Health seeking Behaviour among Rural Perimenopausal Women

Abstract

Background: Menopause, a natural transition for women, can bring physical and psychological changes that impact quality of life. This study was undertaken to understand how menopause impacts rural women's lives and if education improves their health decisions. By assessing quality of life and healthcare seeking behaviour, it can show if education empowers women to navigate menopause.

Objectives.  1. To assess the menopause-related severity of symptoms (somato-vegetative, psychological, urogenital) and quality of life among rural perimenopausal women in the field practice area of a private medical college 2. To find the effectiveness of health education on their health-seeking behaviour.

Methods:  This interventional study was done in 2 stages. In the first stage, a validated scale, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to measure the severity of symptoms and Quality of Life (QOL) among women in the age group 40–60 years and their health-seeking behaviour. A total of 310 women participated and were enrolled in Stage 1 of the study (N=310). Culturally appropriate printed education material (pamphlets) was developed that explain perimenopause symptoms and management. The pamphlet was distributed to the women after the data collection and group discussion with the women enrolled. Stage 2 of the study was conducted after a month. It involved data collection on change in health-seeking behaviour of the women who were enrolled in the study after the intervention of health education. The percentage of women who could not be contacted in stage 2 of the study was 5.8% (n= 28).

Results: The mean age of the participants was 49.2 ± 4.9 years. Somato-vegetative symptoms were present among 82% (n=253), psychological symptoms among 78% (n=242), and urogenital symptoms among 47.4% (n=147).  Only 22% (n= 68) had good quality of life. It was observed in stage 1 that 30% (n=93) of women with symptoms had consulted a doctor. After the intervention with health education, improvement in health seeking behaviour was evident 69.1% (n= 195) (p=.000)

Conclusion:

     This study revealed that more than three-fourths of women experienced menopausal symptoms and most had menopause related poor quality of life. In this study, effective health education significantly improved the peri menopause women health seeking behaviour which reflect on symptoms management and thereby improving their quality of life.