THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PERIMENOPAUSE AMONG BOTSWANA WOMEN (AFRICA).
Contributors: University Of Illinois At Chicago, Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 166
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.
Description: The purpose of the study was to describe the perimenopausal experience from the perspective of middle-aged Botswana women. Symbolic interactionism provided the conceptual framework for the study. Tape-recorded, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 rural and urban perimenopausal Botswana women whose mean age was 49.6 years. One urban and three rural group interviews were also completed to validate data from individual interviews and to closely examine cultural norms and values of female events in the premenopause. The interviews were conducted by the investigator in Setswana using a semistructured interview guide. The interviews were then translated into English and transcribed verbatim.

Qualitative analysis of the interview data indicated that the women perceived menopause as a natural occurrence for which only God had control, a relief from menstrual bother and expenses, and freedom from unplanned pregnancy. The women reported 13 indicators of the menopause, the most frequent of which were increased libido (64%) and irregular menstruation (56%) and the least frequent, dyspareunia (4%). Ethnic variability showed no significant effect on perceptions of the menopause or symptom experience.

Botswana women's self-care responses to the perimenopause depended on their prior knowledge about menopause, their level of education, socioeconomic status, the symptoms experienced, and the women's understanding of symptom causation. The women sought help and information from older relatives and nurses to validate their experiences. They also used traditional medicines to treat symptoms that they associated with menstrual irregularity.

This study raises important implications for nursing education, practice, and research regarding the needs of perimenopausal women.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-01, Section: B, page: 0166.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1990.

School code: 0806.