A Spotlight on Menopause in Africa

Abstract

Background: Menopause is a retrospective diagnosis defined by the World Health Organization as thepermanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. With morewomen living longer, all those above the age of 50 years will experience menopause, with a smallernumber experiencing this before 40 – 49 years without their knowledge. Menopause contributes tosignificant public health conditions, such as cardiovascular, bone, cognitive, and mental healthconditions. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) is an internationally validated tool for measuring theseverity of menopausal symptoms. The WHO notes a challenge in awareness and access tomenopause-related information and treatment for women and health care providers in most countries.Little is known about the experience of menopause in African women, and the MRS scale has limited usein the Kenyan setting, presenting gaps in research and practice.Objectives: To raise awareness of menopause and test the usability and local context of MRS in theassessment of menopausal symptoms in African women.Methods: 304 of 403 attendees on an urban community health education day voluntarily completed asurvey adapted from the MRS.Results: While 80% of women globally report hot flushes as the commonest symptom, only 41% ofwomen over 50 years if age had hot flushes. The most common symptoms were musculoskeletal painand mood swings at 74.1% and 45.8%, respectively.Conclusion: Work is needed to streamline the use and adaptability of the MRS for Swahili-speakingcountries. More community health awareness, research, and advocacy are needed to address thepublic health concerns arising from menopause in Africa.