Introduction: Quality of life is considered as one of the important health outcomes that plays an important role in evaluation of health interventions. The aim of this study was assessing the various dimensions of postmenopausal quality of life and effect of some demographic variables on it.
Methods: This analytical descriptive study was conducted on 400 women aged 40–65 years referred to Ahvaz east health center, Iran in 2012. Demographic and menopausal quality of life questionnaires were completed for all subjects via face to face interview. The score of quality of life and its different domains were changed into the 0-20 range. Higher scores indicated worse quality of and lower scores indicated better quality of life. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17, descriptive statistics tests, t-test and ANOVA. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean score of quality of life in postmenopausal women was 9.72±3.27. The worst score was related to vasomotor dimension (10.90±5.27) especially hot flash symptom. Employed women had a better quality of life in physical (p=0.002) and psychological (p=0.01) dimensions than housewives. Quality of life in smoker women was significantly lower in vasomotor (p=0.04) and psychological (p=0.002) dimensions than non-smokers. No significant relationship was found between quality of life and age, education, sport, income and health situation.
Conclusion: The worst score of postmenopausal quality of life was related to vasomotor dimension. Smoking and being housewife reduced quality of life in some of its dimensions.