Analysis of health challenges facing menopausal women in Ogbomoso, Oyo State: implications for family life counselling

Abstract

Menopause is not a disease; it is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the life cycle of women. Menopause is characterized by cessation of menstruation and hormonal decline. Symptoms such as vagina dryness, reduced libido, hot flashes, and night sweats are usually attributed to it; which hinder the well-being of women. Therefore, this study investigates health challenges faced by menopausal women in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. This study is quantitative, and a descriptive survey design was adopted. The data was collected from 300 menopausal women aged 40-65 years. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the three Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso (Surulere, Ogo-Oluwa, and Oriire). The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were established. The study revealed that menopausal women in Ogbomoso are faced with the challenges of vaginal dryness, reduced libido, hot flashes, excessive fatigue, and poor memory. The results of the hypotheses revealed no significant differences in menopausal challenges on the basis of age and educational qualification. The study highlights the significance of family life counsellors in supporting menopausal women by providing emotional support and effective coping strategies. It was recommended that health care providers should regularly organize public awareness forums for women approaching menopause to keep them aware of menopausal symptoms and appropriate coping mechanisms to adopt. In addition, advocacy efforts should be planned to increase funding, provide facilities and specialists to cater for the needs of menopausal women in health centres and hospitals