Implication of menopausal symptoms on women’s health in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Menopause refers to the period of dramatic hormonal changes accompanied by various symptoms which may have implication on women‘s health. This study examined the implication of menopausal symptoms on women’s health in Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive research design was used for this study. Twenty basic schools in Ibadan North Local Government (IBNLG) area of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were selected using multistage random sampling technique and 300 eligible women were recruited. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS software version 21 to produce descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed physical, mental exhaustion and sexual problem as the most common and most severe symptoms experience. Physical and mental exhaustion as well as sexual symptoms were also the highest reported distressful symptoms. However, majority of the study participants reported that the symptoms experiences were not distressful. Role performance and social functioning domain of health was perceived as not good by majority of the study participants. Age and menopausal status had significant relationship with number of symptoms experiences. Finally, the findings of this study have far reaching implication on work performance and productivity as middle aged women working in basic schools under the IBNLG area of Oyo State may not be able to function optimally. Hence, policy makers may find the findings of this study useful in the formulation of policies on increase health expenditure of middle aged women.