title: First Nations women's knowledge of menopause: experiences and perspectives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand and describe the menopause experiences and perspectives of First Nations women residing in northwestern Ontario.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenomenologic approach using in-depth qualitative interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sioux Lookout, Ont, and 4 surrounding First Nations communities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen perimenopausal and postmenopausal First Nations women, recruited by convenience and snowball sampling techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Themes emerged through a crystallization and immersion analytical approach. Triangulation of methods was used to ensure reliability of findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study confirms the hypothesis that menopause is generally not discussed by First Nations women, particularly with their health care providers. The generational knowledge gained by the women in this study suggests that a variety of experiences and symptoms typical of menopause from a medical perspective might not be conceptually linked to menopause by First Nations women. The interview process and initial consultation with translators revealed that there is no uniform word in Ojibway or Oji-Cree for menopause. A common phrase is "that time when periods stop," which can be used by caregivers as a starting point for discussion. Participants' interest in the topic and their desire for more information might imply that they would welcome the topic being raised by health care providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study speaks to the importance of understanding the different influences on a woman's menopause experience. Patient communication regarding menopause might be enhanced by providing women with an opportunity or option to discuss the topic with their health care providers. Caregivers should also be cautious of attaching preconceived ideas to the meaning and importance of the menopause experience.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Box 489, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A8. smadden@slmhc.on.ca
authors.forename: Sharen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: St Pierre-Hansen
authors.forename: Len
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cromarty
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linkewich
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Payne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008593:Menopause / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D009864:Ontario / Q000208:ethnology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011788:Quality of Life; D009626:Terminology as Topic