[Evaluation of osteoporosis preventive factors in menopausal women referred to the health care centers of Ilam university of medical sciences in 2004]

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease that cause bone fracture. Menopause is the most important risk factors for osteoporosis. This disease is prevalent in menopausal women [50%] because of estrogen deficiency and less bone mass in menopausal period. The aim of this study was to determine the osteoporosis preventive factors in menopausal women referred to the health care centers of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. This research was an analytical-descriptive study, in which 150 menopausal women were selected by random sampling method as population of the study. The data were collected by interview, observation and physical examinations, using specific questionnaires and check lists. The data were analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher tests using SPSS software. The result of this study showed that%90 of the samples did not exercise,%92.7 have not consumed enough calcium and just%45.3 of the samples used to exposed in sunlight. These women also suffered from joint pain [%76.7], back pain [%47.3], and muscular weakness [%42.7]. In addition, our results showed that age [P<0.05], amount of calcium intakes in 24 hour [P<0.05], previous history of bone fracture in family [P<0.01], amount of vitamin D intakes [P<0.01] and steroid drugs [P<0.05] could have influences on osteoporosis intensity, but other variables did not show an influence on osteoporosis intensity [P>0.05]. The finding of this study showed a weak performance of menopausal women for preventing the risk factors causing osteoporosis. Thus, more training should be in considered for menopausal women to reduce osteoporosis among them

[ survey of physical and mental problems of menopause women referred to Ham health care centers]

Menopause is a critical stage as well as the most important event in middle-aged women. In this period women got involved in so many physical and psychological problems that result in a reduction in their quality of life. The aim of the research was to determine the physical and psychological problems faced by menopause women referred to Ham health care centers. The samples consisted of 150 menopause women that had experienced natural menopause as cessation of menstruation for at least 12 months. They were selected using random sampling method. Data were gathered by a questionnaire, composed of demographic characteristics, health history, and sign and symptoms check list, as well as Beck and Cattle scales. The questionnaire was filled in using face-to-face interview. The mean age at menopause was 48/7 years also mean intake of calcium was 603/9 in 24 hours. The most common problems reported by the samples included of musculoskeletal problems [%76.7 joints pain], urogenital [%42 vaginal dryness, and libido], vasomotor [%55.3 hot flash], hypertension [%37.3]. In addition 32% had reported minor depression, 22.7% minor anxiety, and%39.3 near memory disorder; it should be mentioned that significant relation was seen between the sign and symptom and some other investigated variables. The mean age at menopause of samples was lower than of Asian and west countries. The prevalence and intensity of physical and psychological problems in these women were outstanding. Thus with attention to the impact of menopause on women quality of life and community health, planning of especial health cares in this period is essential