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S. Jejeebhoy, M. Koenig and C. Elias, “Community Interaction in Studies of Gynaecological Morbidity: Experiences in Egypt, India and Uganda,” In: S. Jejeebhoy, M. Koenig and C. Elias, Eds., Reproductive Tract Infections and Other Gynaecological Disorders, Cambridge Univer- sity Press, Cambridge, 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511545627.008

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Menopausal Perceptions and Experiences of Older Women from Selected Sites in Botswana

  AUTHORS: Njoku Ola Ama, Enock Ngome

  KEYWORDS: Older Women; Menopause; Knowledge; Perceptions; Logistic Regression; Factor Analysis

  JOURNAL NAME: Advances in Sexual Medicine, Vol.3 No.3, July 9, 2013

  ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the menopausal perceptions and experiences of older women from selected sites in Botswana. Design: This study used snowball sampling to recruit 444 older women in four health districts of Botswana. Trained research assistants administered a structured questionnaire to determine respondents’ menopausal symptoms, perceptions and knowledge of menopause and sexual experiences. Multiple logistic regression procedures were used to evaluate the association of socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge of menopause and factor analysis was used to cluster menopausal symptoms. Results: Participants had low levels of knowledge and awareness of menopause. The three most common changes identified were weakening of bones (78%), changes in sex drive (69.6%), and difficulty working (56.2%). The majority of respondents perceived menopause as freedom from menstrual cycles (85%) and cost saving (65%). Employment status was significantly associated with knowledge of menopause. The mean age at menopause was 48.9 years. With an average life expectancy of 54.5 years, there remains about 6 years of postmenopausal life. Recommendation: Public health care systems in and beyond Botswana should mobilize resources and take measures to improve older women’s awareness and knowledge about menopause-related changes through educational training and guidance to maintain active, healthy lives.