ABSTRACT
Background: Positive attitude towards menopause is believed to be associated with positive menopausal experience and vice versa. In order to improve women’s menopausal experience, thereby improving quality of life, it is important to understand their attitude towards menopause. The objectives of the research were to explore the attitude towards menopause and its relationship with various socio-demographic and life style factors among postmenopausal woman in the rural setting.Methods: This community-based cross sectional study was conducted using non probability sampling and house-to-house visit in randomly selected villages falling under rural health block Kot-Bhalwal, Jammu. 245 postmenopausal women were interviewed using modified attitude towards menopause checklist. The data so collected was analyzed using Open Epi version 3.1. For finding statistical significance, unpaired t-test and analysis of variance were used wherever needed. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The highest percentage of agreement with the positive item was for “a woman gets more confidence in herself after menopause” (77%). The lowest percentage of agreement with the positive item was for “going through menopause really does not change a woman in any important way,” (42.5%). There was a statistically significant mean difference between mean attitude score and religion, and no. of living children (F value=3.14, p value=0.002). No significant association was found between other sociodemographic variables and attitude towards menopause scores.Conclusions: There is a large scope of counseling and health education for improving and enhancing quality of life of postmenopausal women in rural setting of our country.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the perception toward ocular health and assessment of visual acuityamong adults aged >30 years, living in a rural area of Jammu.Materials and Methods: The population-based study is based on the vision screening camp which was conducted at PanchayatGhar of village Dhanu, Keri Zone, Block Kot Bhalwal. The study instrument consisted of sociodemographic data and pre-testedstructured questionnaire. Eye examinations included vision testing using Snellen chart and Jaeger chart, and fundus examinationusing ophthalmoscope performed by ophthalmologists and optometrists.Results: Among 139 participants who attended the screening camp, 76.97% (107 participants) reported trouble seeing nearobjects, whereas only 65.46% (91 participants) reported trouble seeing far objects. However, 85% (119 participants) and74.1% (103 participants) had impaired near vision and far vision, respectively. All participants reported consulting a doctor foreye-related problems. Fifty-three patients reported that they never got any eye checkups before. As such, cases of cataract(n = 21), glaucoma (n = 5), hypertensive retinopathy (n = 6), pterygium (n = 3), and diabetic retinopathy (n = 2) patients weredetected during this screening.Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment (VI) was quite high. Refractive error and cataract were the major cause ofvision impairment. Screening the adult population of 30 years and above providing them with proper lens and timely referralcan help in reducing VI and further improving their quality of life.