Severity of menopause symptoms and coping mechanisms among women in Blantyre, Malawi
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Date
2021-11-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study
This will be a mixed method study.
Introduction/background
Menopause is a normal physiological event in the life of every woman who lives beyond the age
of 52. It is a key transition point of biological and social development which is associated with a
wide variety of symptoms which can be very distressing and have considerable effects in a
woman’s physical and social life.
Problem statement/ justification
With global increase in life expectancy issues to do with adult health for example menopause
are becoming an area of public health concern. However, to the best of our knowledge there is
currently very limited data on menopause in Malawi. Conducting this research will help to
contribute towards understanding menopause related issues among women in Malawi and help in
establishing contextualized and evidence-based management of these symptoms.
Objectives
The broad objective is to evaluate the severity of menopause symptoms and the associated
coping mechanisms among women in Blantyre, Malawi. The specific objectives are; to
determine the prevalence and severity of menopause symptoms among women, to asses
knowledge of menopause among women, to assess coping mechanisms of women with
menopause symptoms, and finally to describe the effect of menopause symptoms on healthrelated
quality of life
Methodology
This will be a mixed method study in which convergent mixed method study design will be used.
The study population are women aged 45 – 59 of which the total sample size is 268 women for
the quantitative data and 20 women for the qualitative data. Quantitative data will be analyzed
using STATA while thematic analysis and QSR Nvivo software will be used for Qualitative data.
Expected Findings and Dissemination
We anticipate to find a high prevalence of vasomotor symptoms and a low reporting rate of
menopause symptoms among those with low academic and economic status. On experiences of women with menopause symptoms we anticipate to find a reduced sense of femineity, and
negative impact on daily activities as seen in studies elsewhere.
A dissertation will be compiled and submitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
the College of medicine library, College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee and
Blantyre DHO. A presentation will be made to the Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Conference and Blantyre district health office and on the findings of the study. A manuscript will
be prepared and submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE