Publication:

A comparative study on postmenopausal symptoms in rural and urban women

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.