Influence of menopausal symptoms on perceived work ability among women in a Nigerian University.
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the menopausal symptoms experienced by women of menopausal age in Ekiti State, Nigeria and the influence on their perceived work ability.


METHOD
A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed and the study was conducted among 200 working-class women aged 45 years and above who had experienced at least 12 continuous months of amenorrhea in Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. A semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Greene Climacteric Scale and the work ability index was used to assess menopausal symptoms and work ability, respectively.


RESULT
The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in this study was 96.5%. The commonest menopausal symptom experienced by the respondents was muscle pain (81.5%), followed by sweating at night (80%), while spells of crying were the least (27.5%). Out of the symptoms, hot flushes were rated most severe followed by sweating at night, while crying spells were also the least severe symptom. Only 27% expressed excellent work ability. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a negative significant relationship (r = -0.311, p < 0.001) between menopausal symptoms and perceived work ability.


CONCLUSION
The study concluded that menopausal symptoms had a negative influence on work ability of the respondents.
['Olajubu|A O|AO|', 'Olowokere|A E|AE|', 'Amujo|D O|DO|', 'Olajubu|T O|TO|']
D005260:Female D019584:Hot Flashes D006801:Humans D008593:Menopause D008875:Middle Aged D009549:Nigeria D011788:Quality of Life D012720:Severity of Illness Index D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014495:Universities D016387:Women's Health D016526:Workload
influence Menopause menopausal symptoms work ability Nigeria menopausal women