Women Religious and Married Women's Attitudes toward Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms

PURPOSE: This study was done to extend the understanding and knowledge of menopause by comparing attitudes toward menopause and menopausal symptoms of women religious and married women. METHODS: The data were collected by self-report questionnaires from 126 women religious and 131 married women, between 40 and 59 years of age who lived in P city, D city and K province. A structured questionnaire was used which included demographic and health-related information, attitudes toward menopause, and menopausal symptoms. Data were analyzed by using chi2-test, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients with the SPSS/WIN 14.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score for attitudes toward menopause of women religious and married women was 69.46 +/- 6.15 and 66.98 +/- 6.12 respectfully, and the difference was significant (p=.001). The mean score for menopausal symptoms of women religious and married women was 41.33 +/- 23.55 and 55.99 +/- 30.81 respectively, and the difference was also significant (p<.001). Attitudes toward menopause were negatively correlated with menopausal symptoms (r=-.27, p<.001).