Menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women and care providers’ readiness to deliver menopausal services: an observational study in Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

Abstract

Health care needs of menopausal women and availability of corresponding services through health systems are under-researched. This two-stage observational study examined the prevalence of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women in four rural and semi-urban communities in Kavrepalanchok, Nepal and explored sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care providers’ readiness to provide menopausal health care. We recruited 252 women aged 40–59 years in the pre-, peri- and post-menopausal phases of the menopausal transition, and interviewed 20 SRH primary care providers. The cross-sectional survey provided data on the prevalence of menopausal symptoms, disaggregated by women’s socioeconomic characteristics, health behaviours and biological features, while data on the knowledge, skills and willingness of SRH care providers to deliver menopausal care were derived from interviews. Most women (84.9%) reported experiencing one or more adverse menopausal symptoms. Socioeconomically and geographically marginalised women were more likely to report experiencing severe menopausal symptoms that would require medical assistance than their more privileged counterparts. Sexual and reproductive health service providers were willing, albeit with limited knowledge and skills, to assess menopausal women’s needs and provide menopausal care. They recommended incorporating menopausal care in SRH policies and training and logistics to provide the services. Culturally, economically and geographically marginalised women experienced a higher prevalence of menopausal symptoms. Sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes of the government should expand beyond women of childbearing age or adolescents to include menopausal women’s needs.