Namara Galana Takele, Woldeyes Binyam Seifu, Irenso Dereje Yadesa, Fekene Daniel Belema, Bulto Gizachew Abdissa, Fata Musa Abduro, Ensermu Warkitu Sileshi, Yami Amare Tesfaye
College of Medicine and Health Science, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia.
Goba Referral Hospital, Madda Walabu University, Goba, Ethiopia.
BMC Womens Health. 2025 Mar 21;25(1):130. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03662-x.
Post-menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months at the age of 45 to 55 years. Post-menopausal women all over the world suffer from symptoms associated with menopause. Despite the fact that the population of menopausal women in Ethiopia is growing in parallel with their life expectancy, little is known about the severity and factors associated with menopausal symptoms among post-menopausal women. While previous studies in Ethiopia have primarily focused on the prevalence of severe menopausal symptoms, they have not thoroughly explored the underlying factors that may influence the severity of these symptoms. As a result, the specific factors that contribute to the severity of menopausal symptoms in Ethiopian women remain largely uninvestigated, leaving an important knowledge gap in this area. Therefore, this study was intended to assess severe menopausal symptoms and associated factors among post-menopausal women in Ambo town.
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 3 to September 3, 2022, in Ambo town. The source population encompassed all post-menopausal women residing in Ambo Town. From this broader group, the study population was all post-menopausal women living in the three selected kebeles (the smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia). The sampling unit for this study was the household with post-menopausal women. A simple random sampling method was employed using computer-generated random numbers using the sampling frame taken from the conducted preliminary survey. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered using Epi Info version 7.1 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Bivariate analysis was used to examine individual relationships between independent variables and severe menopausal symptoms. Multivariable analysis then evaluated the combined impact of independent variables on severe menopausal symptoms while controlling for confounding factors, offering a comprehensive understanding of the factors that significantly influence symptom severity. Odds ratios with 95% Cl were estimated to identify the associated factors of the outcome variables, and statistical significance was affirmed at a p-value ≤ 0.05.
This study showed that one hundred thirty-three participants (30.4%), with a 95% CI (26.2%-35%), experienced severe menopausal symptoms during the past month. Age greater than 60 years [AOR = 3.2, 95% CI (1.3, 7.7)], not performing physical activity [AOR = 2.1, 95% CI (1.1, 4.4)], consuming alcohol [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI (1.1, 3.1), unfavorable attitude towards menopause [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI (1.1, 3.0)], and BMI > 29.9 kg/m [AOR = 6.1, 95% CI (2.7, 14.2)] were associated with severe menopause symptoms.
According to this study, one in three postmenopausal women experienced severe menopausal symptoms. In conclusion, several factors were significantly associated with severe menopausal symptoms. Positive predictors of severe menopausal symptoms include; age over 60 years, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, unfavorable attitudes towards menopause, and a BMI greater than 29.9 kg/m. These results highlight the role of both lifestyle behaviors and individual characteristics in determining the severity of menopausal symptoms. Therefore, we recommend implementing targeted support programs specifically for post-menopausal women. Promoting regular physical activity through tailored exercise programs and reducing alcohol consumption through education and counseling are essential. Additionally, educational interventions should aim to foster a positive attitude towards menopause. Weight management strategies, including both nutrition and exercise, should be prioritized for post-menopausal women with a BMI greater than 29.9 kg/m.
绝经后期是指45至55岁的女性连续12个月永久性停经。世界各地的绝经后女性都遭受与更年期相关的症状困扰。尽管埃塞俄比亚更年期女性的数量随着预期寿命的增长而增加，但对于绝经后女性更年期症状的严重程度及相关因素却知之甚少。虽然埃塞俄比亚先前的研究主要集中在严重更年期症状的患病率上，但尚未深入探讨可能影响这些症状严重程度的潜在因素。因此，埃塞俄比亚女性更年期症状严重程度的具体影响因素在很大程度上仍未得到研究，这一领域存在重要的知识空白。因此，本研究旨在评估安博镇绝经后女性的严重更年期症状及相关因素。
2022年8月3日至9月3日在安博镇开展了一项基于社区的横断面研究。源人群包括居住在安博镇的所有绝经后女性。从这个更广泛的群体中，研究人群是居住在三个选定居民区（埃塞俄比亚最小的行政单位）的所有绝经后女性。本研究的抽样单位是有绝经后女性的家庭。采用简单随机抽样方法，使用从初步调查中获取的抽样框，通过计算机生成随机数。使用结构化的、由访谈员管理的问卷收集数据。数据使用Epi Info 7.1版本录入，并导出到SPSS 25.0版本进行分析。双变量分析用于检验自变量与严重更年期症状之间的个体关系。然后，多变量分析在控制混杂因素的同时评估自变量对严重更年期症状的综合影响，从而全面了解显著影响症状严重程度的因素。估计比值比及95%置信区间以确定结果变量的相关因素，p值≤0.05时具有统计学意义。
本研究表明，133名参与者（30.4%），95%置信区间为（26.2%-35%），在过去一个月经历了严重的更年期症状。年龄大于60岁[AOR = 3.2，95%置信区间（1.3，7.7）]、不进行体育活动[AOR = 2.1，95%置信区间（1.1，4.4）]、饮酒[AOR = 1.8，95%置信区间（1.1，3.1）]、对更年期持负面态度[AOR = 1.8，95%置信区间（1.1，3.0）]以及BMI > 29.9 kg/m[AOR = 6.1，95%置信区间（2.7，14.2）]与严重的更年期症状相关。
根据本研究，三分之一的绝经后女性经历了严重的更年期症状。总之，几个因素与严重的更年期症状显著相关。严重更年期症状的正向预测因素包括：年龄超过60岁、缺乏体育活动、饮酒、对更年期持负面态度以及BMI大于29.9 kg/m。这些结果凸显了生活方式行为和个体特征在决定更年期症状严重程度方面的作用。因此，我们建议专门为绝经后女性实施有针对性的支持项目。通过量身定制的锻炼计划促进定期体育活动，并通过教育和咨询减少饮酒至关重要。此外，教育干预应旨在培养对更年期的积极态度。对于BMI大于29.9 kg/m的绝经后女性，应优先采取包括营养和锻炼在内的体重管理策略。
