title: Quality of life and its determinants in postmenopausal women: a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess quality of life (QOL) and its determinants in Iranian postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using cluster sampling design. The samples consisted of postmenopausal women aged 40-60 years with total household in Rasht city (north Iran) as the sample frame. Quality of life was assessed by Menopause-Specific QOL (MENQOL) Questionnaire. Mean domain scores and factors related to the higher score of each domain were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed that the mean scores for each domain were: vasomotor: 2.14 ± 1.49; psycho-social: 1.56 ± 0.85; physical: 1.91 ± 0.52 and sexual: 1.37 ± 1.05. Comparing the median of the studied domains, physical domain had the worst score in menopausal women. Pain in joint and muscle, one item of physical domain, had the highest score. The univariate analysis demonstrated that women aged 60-65 (p < 0.0001), women with postmenopausal stage 5 or more years (p < 0.0001), married women (p < 0.05), women holding higher education degree (p < 0.05), employed women (p < 0.05), women with a body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m(2) (p < 0.05) and women who do physical activity (p < 0.05) showed better QOL. Based on Logistic Regression model, the predictive factors of normal QOL in menopause status were: age, husband education, score of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that menopause-related symptoms had negative impact on QOL. Confirmation by further research is needed.
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: n_haghjou@gums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Seyedeh Nooshaz
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mirhaghjou
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: niknami4981@gums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niknami
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: maryammoridi@gums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moridi
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: paksersht@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pakseresht
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center (SDHRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. Electronic address: kazem_eh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kazemnejad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Body mass index; Menopause; Physical activity; Quality of life