跨文化研究：澳大利亚和老挝女性的更年期体验、认知及相关治疗。

Cross-cultural study: experience, understanding of menopause, and related therapies in Australian and Laotian women.

机构信息

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

出版信息

Menopause. 2012 Dec;19(12):1300-8. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e31825fd14e.

DOI:10.1097/gme.0b013e31825fd14e

PMID:22929035

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare symptom experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and understanding of menopause and menopausal therapies in Australian and Laotian women.

METHODS

This was a cross-cultural, questionnaire-based study involving 108 women (56 Australian women and 52 Laotian women aged 40-65 y) attending outpatient clinics in Australia and Laos. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis were conducted using Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test, where appropriate.

RESULTS

Psychological symptoms, depression, vasomotor symptoms, and sexual dysfunction were significantly higher in Australian women compared with Laotian women (P < 0.05). Australian women perceived the meaning of menopause as aging (57%), whereas most Laotian women reported not knowing what menopause meant to them (81%). Australian women's fears about menopause included weight gain (43%), aging (41%), and breast cancer (38%), whereas Laotian women reported not knowing about potential menopausal problems (85%). Exercise (55%), education and awareness (46%), and improving lifestyle (41%) were reported by Australian women as being effective in alleviating menopausal symptoms, with only 21% reporting not knowing what was effective compared with 83% of Laotian women. Many women reported not knowing the risks/benefits of hormonal therapies (50% of Australian women and 87% of Laotian women) and herbal therapies (79% of Australian women and 92% of Laotian women). General practitioners were the most common source of menopause information for both Australians (73%) and Laotians (67%).

CONCLUSIONS

Sociocultural factors influence women's perception of menopause. Psychological symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and vasomotor symptoms are more commonly reported by Australian women than by Laotian women. Women have a limited understanding of the risks/benefits of menopausal therapies, and culturally appropriate education is needed.

摘要

目的

本研究旨在调查和比较澳大利亚和老挝女性的绝经症状体验、信念、态度和对绝经和绝经治疗的理解。

方法

这是一项跨文化、基于问卷的研究，涉及 108 名女性（56 名澳大利亚女性和 52 名 40-65 岁的老挝女性），她们在澳大利亚和老挝的门诊诊所就诊。使用学生 t 检验或曼-惠特尼 U 检验进行描述性统计和单变量分析，在适当的情况下。

结果

与老挝女性相比，澳大利亚女性的心理症状、抑郁、血管舒缩症状和性功能障碍显著更高（P<0.05）。澳大利亚女性将绝经的意义理解为衰老（57%），而大多数老挝女性报告不知道绝经对她们意味着什么（81%）。澳大利亚女性对绝经的恐惧包括体重增加（43%）、衰老（41%）和乳腺癌（38%），而老挝女性报告不知道潜在的绝经问题（85%）。澳大利亚女性报告运动（55%）、教育和意识（46%）和改善生活方式（41%）可有效缓解绝经症状，只有 21%的人报告不知道什么有效，而 83%的老挝女性报告不知道什么有效。许多女性报告不知道激素治疗（50%的澳大利亚女性和 87%的老挝女性）和草药治疗（79%的澳大利亚女性和 92%的老挝女性）的风险/益处。全科医生是澳大利亚（73%）和老挝（67%）女性最常见的绝经信息来源。