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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cihangir Ozcan¹, Isil Irem Budakoglu¹, Derya Eroglu², and Esra Kuscu². (1) Public Health, Baskent University, 12. sokak no:7/8 Bahcelievler Cankaya, Ankara, 06490, Turkey, 9003122120434, iremb@baskent.edu.tr, (2) Obstetric and Gynaecology, Baskent University, 12. sokak no:7/8 Bahcelievler Cankaya, Ankara, 06490, Turkey

The aim of this was to determine the quality of life and complaints related to the postmenopausal period in women older than 40 years in a rural district of Ankara, Turkey. A population of 335 women with the menopause symptom from 4 primary healthcare centers in the study area was studied. The Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were given to women during a face-to-face interview to determine their quality of life and assess their menopause symptoms. The mean age of women was 57.7 °" 0.6 years (range, 40-89 years); 71.5% of them were postmenopausal. Of the postmenopausal women, 85.9% had experienced natural menopause, 66.2% did not visit any health professional, and 75.8% used no medication related to menopause. No statistically significant differences existed between MRS score and the educational, marital, occupational, or smoking statuses, or the existence of any chronic disease (p>0.05). Although, there were no statistically significant correlations between MRS score and body mass index (p>0.05), a statistically significant correlation was determined between MRS score and 4 subscales on the SF-36ƒ{ general health, social functioning, physical and emotional role. Physical functioning, social functioning, mental health, physical and emotional role in premenopausal women were statistically better than they were in postmenopausal women. The demographic characteristics of women do not affect severity of menopause complaints. Quality of life is better for premenopausal women than it is for postmenopausal ones; however, during the postmenopausal period, the quality of life is adversely affected by the severity of complaints.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Determine the quality of life and the related factors in the women 40 years and older in a rural area of a developing country
• Assess the menopausal status and complaints of postmenopausal women
• Discuss the relation between quality of life, postmenopausal complaints and sociodemographic characteristics in a rural area of developing country

Keywords: Quality of Life, Menopause

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered