Correlation of age at natural menopause with occupational status and other epidemiologic factors in women from Prefecture of Kavala, Greece.

AIM

Aim of this study was to explore possible associations between the timing of natural menopause and occupational status and other determinant epidemiologic factors among women living in the Prefecture of Kavala, a region of North-East Greece.

METHODS

The sample of the study comprised of 827 naturally menopausal women, who consented to participate in this questionnaire-based interview study between 2011 and 2016. The study population was recruited from women who were hospitalized or visited the outpatient clinics of the General Hospital of Kavala and women working in the public sector services and private companies in the Prefecture of Kavala.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample at natural menopause was 49.1 years; 12.2 % had early menopause, and 4.5 % were diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. For the majority of enrolled women (80.5 %) menopause occurred between 45-54 years, and for the rest (2.8 %) after 54 years of age. In univariate analysis, a statistically significant correlation was found between age at menopause and occupational status, year of birth, mother's age at menopause, age at menarche, and high levels of chronic stress. Multiple regression analysis revealed that occupational status, year of birth and mother's natural menopausal age could predict age at menopause.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic, demographic and familial variables appear to be associated with age at natural menopause in a representative sample of women in the Prefecture of Kavala, Greece. HIPPOKRATIA 2017, 21(1): 32-37.