title: Women's experience of menopause in rural communities in Orlu, Eastern Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document women's experience of menopause in rural communities in Orlu, Eastern Nigeria, and to compare this with urban centers in Nigeria and worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 349 women who had not menstruated for at least 12 months were included in a questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, age at menarche and menopause, attitude to menopause, and knowledge and use of hormone replacement therapy. Questionnaires were administered in 13 communities by medical students during the Annual Convention of Christian Women in August 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age at menopause of the women was 47 ± 4.2 years. Menopausal symptoms were prevalent, and bone and joint pain were the most prevalent symptoms. Knowledge and use of hormone replacement therapy were poor. Most of the women considered the menopause to be beneficial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age at menopause and associated postmenopausal symptoms were similar to those seen in urban centers in Nigeria, but age at menopause was lower than in studies of white women. Despite the apparent positive attitude of Nigerian women to menopause, a program of information and education, and use of hormone replacement therapy will improve quality of life for women in Eastern Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Nigeria. fredanolue@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fredrick C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Anolue
authors.forename: Ephraim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dike
authors.forename: Paschal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adogu
authors.forename: Chikere
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ebirim
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires