1. SYMPTOMS OF DYSFUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY IN A RURAL AREA OF THAI BINH, VIETNAM IN 2021

Abstract

Background: During menopause transitions, fluctuate hormone levels make menopausal women susceptible to mental and physical disorders that affect their quality of life. Research on menopauserelated problems, especially among rural women, are currently insufficient. With that sense, our objective is to investigate signs of dysfunction and quality of life (QOL) in menopausal women in Vietnam, 2021.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 296 menopausal women aged 45-60 in 2 communes Tan Phong, Tan Hoa, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province, Vietnam. Data was collected with 2 study tools: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale and the World Health Organization’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF).

Results: 68.2% of women participating in the study has mild-moderate, severe-very severe symptoms 7.4% and 24.3% of women has no menopausal symptoms. The average score of the QOL is 66.0±8.4. The highest quality score in the field of environment is 21.5±3.7, the lowest is in the field of social relations with 8.7±2.1.

Conclusions: Menopause causes physical, mental and urogenital problems. Almost all domains evaluated were impaired in menopausal women and affect their quality of life. Education, creating awareness and providing suitable intervention to improve the QOL of menopausal women are important at both the individual and community level.