Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Menopause. 2020 Jun;27(6):648-657. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001525.
To assess knowledge and attitudes associated with the menopause transition among women in Bangladesh.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women (age range 45-60 y), 160 participants were selected from both urban and rural settings using a systematic sampling procedure. We used face-to-face interview techniques employing a semistructured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were done to assess the associated factors.
Around one-fourth (23%) of the participants did not have a basic understanding about symptoms of menopause. Knowledge about menopause increased proportionately with higher education levels (primary education, risk ratio [RR] = 3.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-22.92; secondary education, RR = 6.10, 95% CI = 1.26-29.41; higher education, RR = 6.74, 95% CI = 1.33-34) and was more common among urban than rural women (P = 0.001). In addition, women who were service holders had greater knowledge about menopause compared with women who worked in the home (RR = 8.67, 95% CI = 1.94-38.58). Most of the women (96%) suffered from different kinds of depression during the menopause transition. Key barriers to gaining knowledge about menopause included access to information (63%), social stigma (57%), and shame (52%).
Menopause is a neglected issue in Bangladesh. Accurate and appropriate information regarding premenopause and menopause can help women cope with this life transition. Social and familial support may also play a role in minimizing isolation and depression. Public health messaging to increase awareness and knowledge about menopause should be undertaken to overcome the stigma and shame associated with menopause in Bangladesh. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A556.
评估孟加拉国女性在更年期过渡期间的知识和态度。
对年龄在 45-60 岁的女性进行了一项横断面调查，采用系统抽样方法从城乡环境中选择了 160 名参与者。我们采用面对面访谈技术，使用半结构化问卷。进行了单变量和多变量回归分析以评估相关因素。
大约四分之一（23%）的参与者对更年期症状没有基本了解。知识水平与教育程度成正比，接受小学教育的女性风险比（RR）为 3.91（95%置信区间 [CI] = 0.66-22.92）；接受中等教育的女性 RR 为 6.10（95% CI = 1.26-29.41）；接受高等教育的女性 RR 为 6.74（95% CI = 1.33-34）。接受城市教育的女性比农村女性更常见（P = 0.001）。此外，与从事家庭工作的女性相比，服务行业的女性对更年期有更多的了解（RR = 8.67，95% CI = 1.94-38.58）。在更年期过渡期间，大多数女性（96%）都患有不同类型的抑郁症。获取有关更年期知识的主要障碍包括获取信息（63%）、社会耻辱（57%）和羞耻感（52%）。
更年期在孟加拉国是一个被忽视的问题。关于绝经前期和更年期的准确和适当的信息可以帮助女性应对这一生活过渡。社会和家庭支持也可能在最小化孤立和抑郁方面发挥作用。应开展公共卫生宣传活动，以提高对孟加拉国更年期的认识和知识，克服与更年期相关的耻辱感。
