Role of Socioeconomic Status in Defining Perception of Women about Menopause-related Myths and Facts

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of SAFOMS

Author
1. Aisha K Jadoon
2. Sarosh K Jadoon
3. Arzu Jadoon
ISSN
2319-846X
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10032-1200
Volume
8
Issue
1
Publishing Year
2020
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of ICU, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
    1. Department of ICU, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
    1. Department of Surgery, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Aim and objective: To assess variation in the perspective of women belonging to different socioeconomic backgrounds about facts and myths associated with menopause. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at Ziauddin University Hospital over a period of 5 months; it is a prospective cross-sectional study. Sample size of 210 was taken. Based on income per capita, the socioeconomic status was determined. Perspective of women about menopause was assessed by questioning them about different myths and facts and how firmly they believed in them. The overall perception of the menopausal process was also documented. Data were entered and analyzed by version 20 of SPSS. Results: Women from the lower class had the highest number of false beliefs and myths about menopause, followed by middle, and least of upper class. Similarly, upper class women had greater knowledge about facts of menopause. Majority of lower class women considered menopause to be a disease or a clinical condition (64%); however, majority of upper class women rendered it as a natural aging process (79%). Conclusion: There seems to be a dire need of spreading knowledge about menopause to all women, especially those that lie below the poverty line; this would play a huge role in improvising their quality of life and the morbidities associated with ignorance. Clinical significance: This study makes it clear that the perception of menopause among women belonging to poor class is scarce and based merely on myths, resulting in the negative attitude for seeking medical treatment if required leading to morbidity and poor quality of life.

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