Prevalence of menopausal symptoms, its effect to quality of life among Malaysian women and their treatment seeking behaviour
- Author:
Bahiyah Abdullah
;
Burhanuddin Moize
;
Badrul Aznil Ismail
;
Madihah Zamri
;
Najihah Farhah Mohd Nasir
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Menopausal symptoms;
quality of life;
treatment seeking
- MeSH:
Menopause;
Quality of Life
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2017;72(2):94-99
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence
of menopausal symptoms, its effect to the quality of life and
their treatment seeking behaviour in a multiracial
community in Malaysia.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving
postmenopausal women in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Data was
obtained by face-to-face interview using standardised
questionnaires on sociodemographic data, Menopause
Rating Scale questionnaire, effect to quality of life and
treatment sought.
Results: A total of 258 women, including Malays (82%),
Indians (14.1%) and Chinese (3.9%) were recruited. The
median age was 58 (range 45-86) years old. Joint and
muscular discomfort (73.3%) and fatigue (59.3%) were the
most prevalent symptoms. Significant association with
ethnicity were demonstrated with Malays was found to have
3.1 times higher incidence of sexual problems than Indians,
(Odds Ratio (OR) 3.103; 95%CI 1.209, 7.967) and Indian had
2.6 times higher incidence of irritability compared to Malays
(OR 2.598; 95%CI 1.126, 5.992). Fifty-two percent of women
felt that menopausal symptoms affected their quality of life
but there were only 2.7% who were severely affected. There
were 24.8% of women who sought treatment and only 20.3%
of those who took hormone replacement therapy. There was
no significant association found between their treatment
seeking behaviour in association with ethnicity, age, parity,
marital and occupational status.
Conclusion: Menopausal symptoms were prevalent among
menopausal women, although only a small group of women
who were severely affected. There was a lack of tendency in
seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms among the
women.
- Full text:P020170509415819315449.pdf
