Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul (Jul 2000)

A KAP study in health system employees for symptoms and prevention of menopausal adverse effects

  • A Bakhtiari,
  • M Faramarzi,
  • H Pasha

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 5
pp. 31 – 38

Abstract

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Objective: Women comprise the major portion of the aging population. Every year menopause and its associated osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease cause many economic problems, disability and mortality. Medical considerations and preventive hygiene programs can hopefully increase women life expectancy. The first step must be taken by health team members. Therefore their knowledge, attitude and their performance are very important. Methods: This study was done on 250 treatment and hygiene organization personnel using questionnaires. First variables such as age, duration of employment, educational status and their relation with each other were investigated and then knowledge, attitude, performance and personal communication were studied. Findings: Two-third of studied population did not have a good knowledge of practice. The average knowledge and practice grades were in order 7.6 of 13 and 10.9 of 18. Also, 62% had neutral and 22% negative attitude to menopause and HRT. The most common false responses were about the usefulness of HRT, it’s indications and contraindications, duration of treatment, it’s side-effects and use of natural methods instead of HRT. Also the most important finding in negative attitude was about usage of HRT and belief in preferablitey of natural methods than medical treatment for menopause and the most positive response was about follow-up observation of menopausal side-effects. The least practice was about recommendation of HRT and routine examination for screening. Statistical tests showed a significant relationship between attitude and knowledge, practice and attitude and also between educational status with major, age, job and between attitudes with age, major and job. Results: On the basis of our findings, personnel had a natural attitude about menopause and usage of HRT. They intended to a non-medical method for menopause side-effects. Lack of knowledge and neutral attitude about menopause and HRT indicates the necessity of better scheduling in this field.

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