title: Perceptions and attitudes toward the menopause among middle aged women from Guayaquil, Ecuador.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies reporting the perspective of Latin American women, Ecuador, included, regarding the menopausal phenomena are scarce or lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Obtain information regarding the perception and attitudes toward the menopause among middle aged women of Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women aged 40 or more, nursing staff members of two major associated teaching hospitals of the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador, were surveyed with a structured questionnaire containing items intended to assess women's perception and attitudes toward the menopause. Secondarily level of information related to the menopause was explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 349 women were surveyed of which mean age was 48+/-6.8 years. A 41.3% were postmenopausal, 55% premenopausal and 3.7% had a history of hysterectomy with conserved ovaries. Women more frequently perceived the menopause as a positive event as they agreed that it is a normal (93.7%) and important event (73.6%), that it gives more confidence and maturity (78.8%), that they may fully enjoy sexual relations (74.8%), that there is a relief as the risk of becoming pregnant is null (65.3%) and that life becomes easier and calmer (60.7%). A relatively high rate demonstrated a preoccupying attitude toward the menopause as 79.4% responded to be concerned about it indicating that seeking medical attention was important, moreover, 77.9% responded that health during this phase be taken care of and life styles changed. Less than 50% of surveyed women considered having enough information regarding the menopause whereas a high rate indicated wanting to receive educational sessions related to the menopause. Married and lower educated women were not concerned about the menopause in a higher rate than their counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that women perceived the menopause as a positive event, displaying a concerned attitude toward it, their related knowledge was low.
authors.affiliation: Ecuadorian Climacteric & Menopause Society (SECLIM-Núcleo Guayas), Guayaquil, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chedraui
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortiz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004484:Ecuador; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires