Knowledge and Attitudes of Black South African Women toward Menopause: Impact of Culture and Traditions

Abstract

Introduction Vasomotor symptoms of menopause could affect the quality-of-life of most women. The understanding of menopause by African women and the coping mechanisms of these women are essential factors that may be influenced by culture and traditions. This study has evaluated the psychosomatic and sociodemographic profiles of menopausal black South African women in order to ascertain the role played by their culture and traditions during the menopausal years. Materials and methods The study was carried out at three periurban districts close to the city of Pretoria, South Africa. A qualitative, prospective, community-based, cohort study was conducted over a 2-year period. The targeted population included women between 40 and 80 years, and each woman was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data on sociodemographic, psychosomatic profiles of the women as well as cultural and traditional beliefs relating to menopause were documented. The data from the study were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results Totally, 450 women were interviewed: 250 (perimenopausal) and 200 (postmenopausal). The ages of the women ranged between 42.5 and 50.8 years (perimenopausal) and between 51.5 and 68.4 years for postmenopausal women. Only 20% of the women interviewed for the study had no formal education and 78% of them were financially independent. The percentage of the women who had an understanding of menopause and expressed cultural explanations for it was 96%. The women explained the impact of support systems on which they relied and by which their attitudes toward menopause were greatly influenced. Knowledge of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its importance in the alleviation of vasomotor symptomatology ranged between 80 and 84%, yet the women were reluctant to seek medical remedy for their vasomotor symptoms. Conclusion The study provides insight into the impact that traditions and culture of black South African women have on their capacity to cope with menopause. How to cite this article Matsela L, Towobola O, Mokgokong ET. Knowledge and Attitudes of Black South African Women toward Menopause: Impact of Culture and Traditions. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(2):117-122.

Improving Experiences of the Menopause for Women in Zimbabwe and South Africa: Co-Producing an Information Resource

“…Although women may describe mood changes, sleep disturbance and decreased libido (Nelson 2008), women's experiences of the menopause are deeply shaped by-and inform-a range of biological, socio-economic and cultural circumstances (Winterich and Umberson 1999;Skrzypulec et al 2010;Nusrat et al 2008;Lock 1994). The menopause is not a universally negative experience, and some women report the menopause as a time when they may find greater freedom and growth (de Salis et al 2018;Matsela et al 2017). The influential work by anthropologists Lock and Kaufert compared women's experience in Japan with North America and suggested that different experiences can be understood as 'local biologies' (Lock 1994;Lock and Kaufert 2001).…”