Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor of Biostatistics, Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
2
General Practitioner, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
4
M.Sc. of Demography, Deputy of Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: One of the most critical stages of women’s life is menopause. Knowledge about menopause enables women to tolerate the complications of this period and prevent irreversible complications by sufficient treatment. This aim of this study was determining the level of knowledge and performance of 45-60 years old women in regard to health related issues of menopause in Semnan, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 784 women aged 45-60 years who lived in Semnan, Iran, 2012. A multi-stage sampling was used. Data was collected using a questionnaire contained demographic characteristics, knowledge levels and health performance about menopause. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), t-test, chi-square and ANOVA tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age of women was 51.2±4.5 years. 81 women (10.3%) were highly aware of menopause, 548 women (69.9%) had moderate and 155 women (19.8%) had poor knowledge. Level of education was not associated with women’s knowledge (p>0.05), whereas place of residence, being menopause and marital status were associated with knowledge (p<0.05). 467 women (59.6%) had low performance levels, and only 18 women (2.3%) had good performance. Level of education, place of residence, marital status, being menopause and occupational status were not associated with performance about menopause (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Results showed moderate levels of knowledge and poor performance about health related issues of menopause among the majority of 45-60 years old women in Semnan, Iran.
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