The Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on the Management of Menopausal Changes among Perimenopausal Women

The study aimed to determine the following among the perimenopausal women of the selected areas of Sri Muktsar Sahib, India: the level of knowledge of perimenopausal women regarding management of menopausal symptoms, the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on the knowledge of perimenopausal women regarding management of menopausal symptoms, the association between the post test knowledge of perimenopausal symptoms regarding the management of menopausal symptoms with selected demographic variables such as age, education, occupation, family income per month, religion, area of residence, food habits, marital status, type of family, age of menarche, duration of menses, amount of blood flow,dysmenorrhea, number of children

A quasi experimental study with a single group pretest post test design was conducted using a questionnaire with closed ended questions. It was distributed to 50 perimenopausal women working and residing in selected areas of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab selected by convenient sampling. The questionnaire was used to carry out the pretest to assess their knowledge regarding management of menopausal symptoms. A structured teaching programme on management of menopausal symptoms was administered and post test was held using the same questionnaire after 7 days of pretest. The resulting answers were graded and the percentage of correct and incorrect answers for each question from all perimenopausal women was obtained.

The results showed that the mean pre-test knowledge score of perimenopausal women was 24.22±3.15 and mean post-test knowledge score was 29.0±3.10 after getting structured teaching programme. The difference between pre and post test knowledge score was statistically highly significant at p< 0.001 level. Area of residence was the only variable under study which revealed a significant relationship at p<0.05 relationship with knowledge regarding management of menopausal symptoms.

It can be concluded from the present study that the perimenopausal women can be enlightened about management of menopause by administering them structured teaching programme on management of menopausal symptoms. This study indicated that there is a need for creating awareness among perimenopausal women regarding the transitions brought about by the approaching menopause that affects their physical, psychological and social wellbeing adversely.