Marni Marni, Siti Farida, Putri halimu Husna, Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih, Domingos Soares, Kresna Agung Yudhianto

Quality of Life Among Women at Menopause

Introduction

Quality of life among women at menopause. Discover factors influencing quality of life for menopausal women. Education, income, menarche age, and sexual activity impact well-being, with income & sexual frequency affecting the sexual domain.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine factors related to the quality of life in women at menopause. This cross-sectional study included 53 women aged 45 to 65 who were at menopause, with self-reported good general health and not receiving hospital treatment, and were willing to participate as respondents. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire assessed quality of life across four domains: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual. Data analysis involved univariate analysis using frequency tables and crosstabs, bivariate analysis using correlation tests, and multivariate analysis using chi-square tests. The bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between education and quality of life (p = 0.000). Additionally, the age of menarche (p = 0.022) and income (p = 0.006) were significant factors. The multivariate analysis confirmed that both income (p = 0.021) and frequency of sexual activity (p = 0.032) significantly impacted the quality of life. The quality of life among women at menopause was influenced by factors such as education, age of menarche, income, and early menopause. Income and the frequency of sexual activity particularly affected the quality of life, specifically in the sexual domain. This research holds implications highlighting the need for targeted interventions to help women prepare for menopause and mitigate physical complaints.

Review

This study critically examines factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) among women during menopause, a vital area of research given the significant physiological and psychosocial changes associated with this life stage. The objective was clearly stated: to identify these related factors in a population of menopausal women. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study included 53 women aged 45 to 65, all reporting good general health and not undergoing hospital treatment. This focused approach provides initial insights into the determinants of QoL within a relatively healthy menopausal cohort. Methodologically, the research employed the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire, a suitable instrument to assess QoL across its key domains: vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual. The progression of data analysis from univariate and bivariate to multivariate methods strengthens the findings by identifying independent predictors. Bivariate analysis revealed significant associations between QoL and factors such as education, age of menarche, and income. Crucially, the multivariate analysis further pinpointed income (p = 0.021) and the frequency of sexual activity (p = 0.032) as significant independent predictors of QoL, specifically noting their impact on the sexual domain. While offering valuable contributions, the study's primary limitation stems from its relatively small sample size (n=53), which may affect the generalizability and statistical power of the findings. The cross-sectional design also precludes the establishment of causal relationships between the identified factors and QoL. Despite these limitations, the research effectively highlights the multi-faceted nature of menopausal QoL and underscores the robust influence of socio-economic factors like income, alongside personal aspects like sexual activity. The implications for targeted interventions to help women prepare for menopause and mitigate physical complaints are well-founded, suggesting a clear direction for public health initiatives and further longitudinal research with larger, more diverse populations.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.