Comparative Assessment of Perceptions of Menopausal Syndrome among Women in Urban and Rural Communities of Imo State

Menopause is a natural biological phase in a woman’s life but cultural ideas and views of menopausal syndrome influence women’s experience, health-seeking habits and quality of life greatly. Understanding women’s perceptions of menopause is important to the development of relevant educational and healthcare treatments in different sociocultural situations. This study evaluated and contrasted the attitudes of menopausal women in urban and rural regions of Imo State, Nigeria about menopausal syndrome. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 738 menopausal women selected from urban (n = 366) and rural (n = 372) populations of Imo State. Data on participants’ perception of menopause and menopausal symptoms was collected using a standardised questionnaire. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, averages and standard deviations). Positive perception was defined as a mean score of 2.50 and above Results showed that urban and rural women commonly consider menopause to be a natural and normal life experience. The mean score for the perception of menopause as a natural part of life was higher in urban women (Mean = 3.70 ± 0.51) than in rural women (Mean = 3.54 ± 0.71). Similarly, urban respondents were more likely to think that menopause is a natural stage of life (3.21 ± 0.83) than their rural counterparts (3.06 ± 0.73). Most of the respondents disagreed with the negative perceptions towards menopause as a disease (urban: Mean = 1.77 ± 0.75; rural: Mean = 1.70 ± 0.58), women’s inability to live a normal life at the time of menopause (urban: Mean = 1.90 ± 0.66; rural: Mean = 2.07 ± 0.81) and menopause as an unmanageable phase of life (urban: Mean = 1.83 ± 0.66; rural: Mean = 1.86 ± 0.65). However, some participants still had misconceptions regarding the need for gynaecological consultation during menopause and menopause being associated with loss of femininity. The total mean perception score was higher among urban women (3.18 ± 0.32) as compared to rural women (3.06 ± 0.38) which showed better perception of menopause among urban respondents. In general, menopausal women in urban and rural communities of Imo State had favourable perceptions about menopause, acknowledging it as a normal period of ageing and not an illness or crippling condition. However, misconceptions about the healthcare needs and femininity of menopausal women still exist, particularly among women living in rural areas. There is a need for health education and awareness campaigns to emphasise accurate understanding of menopausal syndrome and appropriate healthcare seeking habits.