PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIENCES AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES BY MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN A RURAL COMMUNITY IN ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA.
Abstract
Author(s): Ilo I. C., Agbapuonwu, N. E., Okeke J. E., Makachi M. C., Orji I. N., & Odira, C. C.
Menopause is a period of natural physiologic adaptation which occurs in women when their finite numbers of ovarian follicles are depleted due to decreased levels of reproductive hormones. Menopause i s a natural transition all women experience and may present with mild or no obvious disturbances in some women. Others may undergo severe and unbearable health and psychological challenges that may require medical intervention. This descriptive survey aimed at determining the psychological and health challenges experienced and the adaptation strategies utilized by menopausal women in a rural community in Anambra state Nigeria. Using the stratified random sampling technique a total of 112 women within the age range of 45-55 years were selected to participate in the research. A pre-tested self- developed questionnaire was utilized to elicit responses from the respondents usingthe snowball technique.The data collected were organized and analyzed using frequencies and percentages for the research questions and chi square for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The result show that almost all 109 (99.1%) of the respondents experience menstrual irregularities, 75(68.2%) experience sleeping problems or insomnia, 68 (61.8%) reported hot flushes and other problems.Majority 66 (60.0%) of the respondents buy drugs from patent medicine shops to treat their symptoms, 27 (24.5%) cope by modifying their lifestyle while onlyfew 12 (10.9%) seek proper management from health professionals.There is need for women to be educated prior to this period and health workers should communicate, counsel, support and empower middle-aged women through this period of transition.
