Menopause ; Sign and symptom ; Competency ; Self-care ; Social support
Abstract
Purpose: This descriptive correlational study was intended to analyze the relationship among menopausal symptoms. competency of self-care agency and social support in middle-aged women. Methods: Participants
in the study were 140 women who were 45-60 years of old. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics., t-test, ANOVA, Scheffè’s test and Pearson correlation
coefficients. Results: The frequency and discomfort of menopausal symptom were low, but the mean discomfort score were higher than frequency score. Middle-aged women with lower competency of self care
experienced more frequent menopausal symptoms (t=-0.28, p=.001) and more discomfort (t=-0.24, p=.004). However, There was no significant difference in menopausal symptoms according to social support.
Conclusion: Nursing interventions to enhance competency of self-care agency in middle-aged women are required in order to reduce the discomfort of menopausal symptoms.