Personal characteristics and health status among southern rural African-American menopausal women.
Menopause affects all women regardless of race, socio-economic backgrounds, and geographic locale. Annually, about 1.7 million women reach menopause in the United States. African-American women experience more health disparities, higher poverty levels, have more disabilities, more severe physiological symptoms of menopause, limited health insurance, more hypertensive and diabetic related conditions, and shorter life spans when compared with their White counterparts. African-American menopausal women have not been adequately included in scientific research and health-policy related studies that have addressed their health status and wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personal characteristics and health status among rural southern African-American menopausal women. This descriptive correlational study used secondary data obtained from 206 southern rural African-American women between 40 and 60 years of age. The study findings revealed that knowledge on menopause, social support, being employed full-time, and decision-making were significantly associated with favorable self-perceived physical health status.
University of Swaziland, Faculty of Health Sciences, P. O. Box 369, Mbabane, Swaziland, Southern Africa. tmathunj@uniswa.sz
Tengetile R
TR
Mathunjwa-Dlamini
Faye A
FA
Gary
Hossein A
HA
Yarandi
Murmly D
MD
Mathunjwa
D001741:Black or African American; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D016015:Logistic Models; D008593:Menopause / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology