A comparative study on postmenopausal symptoms in rural and urban women

Abstract

Background: Health issues of postmenopausal women pose a significant challenge to public health. Menopause is an unspoken, unattended, reality of life, the cause of which is still deciphered completely by man. Objective: To compare the post-menopausal symptoms among rural & urban women.Methods:The present cross sectional study was conducted in the month of September 2014, which continued for 2 months in rural and urban area. Predesigned, pretested questionnaire was used to interview 500 participants who met the selection criteria. Data was analysed using SPSS software.Results: 250 from rural area and 250 from urban area. Nearly half 223 (44.6%) of them were in the age group of 55-64 years. Majority 161 (32.2%) of them belonged to the upper middle class, 346 (69.2) were pre obese according to WHO classification. Majority (385) 77% had no h/o gynecological problems. Almost all had one or the other menopausal symptom.Conclusions:The prevalence of postmenopausal symptoms was higher in urban women compared to the rural population.