ABSTRACT
To evaluate the attitudes of menopausal women towards the menopause and its relation with demographic characteristics. This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 378 menopausal women attending primary health care centers in Shiraz. Five health centers in different parts of the city were chosen and the participants were selected from these women attending the above-mentioned health care centers randomly. Then, they were interviewed and a questionnaire was filled in. The mean age of the participants was 54.9 [ +/- 5.5] years. Nine women [2.4%] were single and 306 [81%] were married. One hundred sixty [42.3%] were illiterate and nine [2.4%] had a college degree. Seventy [18.5%] of them were smoker. One hundred twenty five [33.1%] suffered from hypertension, 64 [16.9%] had diabetes, 206 [54.5%] musculoskeletal problems, 43 [11.4%] pulmonary diseases, and 75 [19.8%] heart diseases. The mean and standard deviation of the total score of attitude was 102.7 +/- 11.8 [Rang:71-135]. Statistically significant relation was observed between physical menopausal symptoms and total score of attitude in multiple regression analysis. According to the results of the study, there are some differences in various countries and cultures and these differences lead to different attitudes among in women. Physical symptoms are very important in attitudes towards menopause in women and such bothering symptoms can lead to negative attitude. Therefore, it is very important to make some plans for evaluating menopausal symptoms and controlling them