KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSAL CHALLENGES AMONG OLDER WOMEN IN IKOT ISIGHE VILLAGE, MKPAT ENIN LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1. Department of Nursing Science

2. Department of Public Health

3. Department of Human Anatomy

4. Department of Sociology

TOPIC: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSAL CHALLENGES AMONG OLDER WOMEN IN IKOT ISIGHE VILLAGE, MKPAT ENIN LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE

TABLE OF CONTENT

Abstract

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two: Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

2.4 Summary of Literature Reviewed

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sampling Technique

3.5  Instrument for Data Collection

3.6 Validity of the Study

3.7 Reliability of the Study

3.8 Method of Data Collection

3.9 Method of Data Analysis

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Answering Research Questions

4.3 Test of Hypotheses

4.4 Discussion of Findings

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary of the Study

5.2 Conclusions

5.3 Limitations of the Study

5.4 Recommendation

5.5 Suggestion for Further Findings

References

Appendix

ABSTRACT
This study, assessed the“knowledge, attitude, and effects of menopausal challenges among older Women in Ikot Isighe Village, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State.” Specifically, the objectives were to determine the level of menopausal knowledge among older women, examine their attitudes towards menopause and how these attitudes influence their perception and response, and identify the effects of menopausal challenges on their overall wellbeing. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting a population of 9,593 older women of menopausal age in Ikot Isighe Village. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 270 respondents was determined. A multi-stage sampling technique, combining stratified and random sampling, ensured representative selection. Data were collected through structured questionnaires comprising 5Likert-scale items to measure knowledge, attitudes, and menopausal effects. Analysis involved descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations to interpret the responses against a cutoff mean of 2.50. The results indicated that respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about menopause, with mean scores ranging between 2.73 and 3.14 across knowledge statements, signifying adequate awareness. Attitudes toward menopause were generally positive, with mean scores above 2.50, reflecting acceptance but also some concerns about menopausal challenges. The effects of menopause on wellbeing revealed significant physical and psychological impacts, with mean scores ranging from 2.68 to 3.25, confirming substantial challenges faced by the women. Based on these findings, it is recommended that health authorities implement targeted educational programs to enhance menopause awareness, establish healthcare services tailored to menopausal needs, promote psychosocial support groups, and prioritize policies addressing menopausal health.

Keywords: Menopause, Knowledge, Attitude, Menopausal Challenges, Older Women.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION (Preview)

1.1 Background of the Study

Human development is marked by several physiological milestones, and among women, menopause remains one of the most significant transitions in the later stages of life. It is a naturally occurring biological process marked by the cessation of menstruation for twelve consecutive months, resulting from a permanent decline in ovarian follicular activity. According to Marelle (2022), menopause is not just a reproductive endpoint but also a complex physiological shift involving hormonal, psychological, and social dimensions. While primarily biological, menopause also functions as a culturally and psychologically interpreted event that shapes a woman’s self-image and social role. Ekanem (2023) emphasizes that contemporary perspectives on menopause move beyond the clinical definitions to consider it a phase that is deeply personal and socially contextualized. Moreover, Jadoul (2021) asserts that menopause should be examined within the broader framework of female aging and identity, where biology interacts with social norms and expectations. Understanding menopause in this multidimensional way provides a more comprehensive foundation for exploring how women experience, interpret, and adapt to this transition in different environments.

On a global scale, the experience of menopause varies widely, not because of biological differences, but due to differing socio-cultural beliefs, healthcare access, and public health narratives. According to Fakoya (2022), while the average age of menopause remains relatively consistent worldwide—between 45 and 55 years—the social response to this transition differs significantly across cultures. In Western countries, menopause is often openly discussed, researched, and managed through hormonal therapies, workplace policies, and support groups (Seghen & Adalla, 2021). Conversely, in many developing regions, menopause is enveloped in silence, shaped by cultural taboos, and managed through traditional remedies or sheer endurance. According to Kazembe (2023), this divergence in global experience is driven by disparities in education, gender roles, and access to healthcare resources, which in turn affect women’s knowledge and attitudes toward menopause. Okafor (2022) further argues that in areas where menopause is not openly addressed, women often approach it with anxiety or misinformed beliefs, lacking both medical support and psychosocial preparedness. This global inconsistency highlights the need to study menopause within local contexts where culture, knowledge, and healthcare intersect uniquely.

In Nigeria, the menopausal experience is equally shaped by cultural values, societal expectations, and limited health information, often resulting in a multifaceted and locally distinct narrative. According to Ayoola (2024), menopause is viewed in many Nigerian societies not just as a biological event but as a spiritual or moral transition, often associated with gaining respect and status in the community. Despite this potentially empowering interpretation, discussions around menopause are often constrained by cultural silence, and the biological changes it entails are seldom addressed openly. Oluwatoyin (2023) notes that for many Nigerian women, especially those with limited education, the onset of menopause is met with confusion, stigma, or reliance on anecdotal knowledge passed down from older generations. Etemike (2021) also observes that while some women perceive menopause as a natural progression, others associate it with illness or punishment, revealing a significant gap in reproductive health education. According to Ogbokiri (2022), healthcare institutions in Nigeria rarely provide structured counseling or education on menopause, leaving many women to rely on informal networks for understanding and coping with symptoms.

 According to Bassey (2023), in several rural communities of southern Nigeria, menopause is recognized as a turning point that redefines a woman’s role in family and community life. In these environments, the experience of menopause is shaped more by cultural interpretations and indigenous knowledge systems than by biomedical guidance. Idongesit (2021) explains that older women often serve as repositories of knowledge, transmitting beliefs and practices that may be supportive but can also perpetuate misconceptions. Ntok (2022) points out that such knowledge systems, while integral to local identity, may hinder women from seeking medical help, especially when symptoms are severe or debilitating. Consequently, many women approach menopause with a sense of resignation, relying on spiritual interpretations or herbal remedies rather than professional healthcare. This situation underscores the necessity of studying menopause not as a uniform experience but as a socially constructed reality influenced by specific community dynamics and belief systems.

Focusing on Ikot Isighe village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State allows for a deeper investigation into how knowledge and attitudes toward menopause manifest in a rural Nigerian context. The village, situated in the Niger Delta region, is marked by strong communal ties, traditional belief systems, and limited access to formal healthcare services. According to Udobong (2024), many women in this region reach menopause without adequate information or structured support, relying heavily on intergenerational knowledge and personal observation. Eshiet (2023) notes that although menopause is recognized as a natural part of aging, its management is largely informal, with coping strategies varying widely based on educational background and socio-economic status. According to Ekanem (2023), the intersection of limited health education, cultural norms, and gender roles makes it imperative to explore how these women understand and respond to menopausal changes. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and effects of menopausal challenges among older women in Ikot Isighe, contributing to the broader discourse on contextual health experiences among aging women in rural Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Menopause, as a universal biological transition, has garnered significant scholarly interest for its role in shaping the health trajectories of aging women. While its physiological basis is well-understood, the surrounding social, cultural, and psychological dimensions continue to evolve as subjects of academic inquiry. According to Yadira (2022), menopause is not only a hormonal shift but also a critical moment that reveals the quality of health systems, cultural narratives, and gendered health inequalities in different communities. Nnadozie (2023) adds that attention to menopause in public health research has improved, but remains unevenly distributed, especially in developing contexts. Similarly, Melaku (2021) suggests that although global conversations around menopause have intensified, localized studies—particularly those reflecting rural African experiences are scarce.

Despite menopause being a natural process, many women, especially in rural areas like Ikot Isighe, encounter it without adequate knowledge or institutional support, resulting in misinformed perceptions, negative attitudes, and limited coping mechanisms. According to Oganya (2024), rural African women often associate menopausal symptoms with spiritual or moral causes rather than biological ones, delaying the adoption of medical or psychosocial interventions. Edewor (2023) reports that among Nigerian women, there is often a conflation between menopause and aging ailments, which results in poor symptom recognition and underreporting. Meanwhile, Koffi (2022) highlights that in the absence of structured educational outreach, women rely heavily on anecdotal and sometimes inaccurate intergenerational advice. The current situation reveals a disconnect between the reality of menopausal challenges and the support systems available to address them. Ideally, women should transition through menopause with adequate information, psychosocial support, and access to responsive healthcare services. However, the lived reality marked by silence, stigma, and inadequate healthcare outreach—demonstrates a critical shortfall in addressing this stage of women’s health.

Furthermore, while previous research on menopause has concentrated on physiological symptoms and hormonal therapies, there remains a paucity of empirical data exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and effects of menopause in specific rural populations. According to Zubeida (2023), many studies overlook the socio-cultural dynamics that influence how women internalize and respond to menopausal changes, especially in non-Western contexts. Chisom (2021) notes that regional disparities in educational access, healthcare quality, and cultural interpretations significantly influence how menopausal information is disseminated and understood. Additionally, Nzenwa (2024) asserts that the limited representation of rural voices in menopausal discourse contributes to a skewed global understanding, often marginalizing the unique experiences of African women. These gaps suggest a significant limitation in the literature one that fails to account for how menopause is navigated in under-resourced, traditional societies. The absence of such localized insight obscures the reality of how knowledge and attitudes can shape health-seeking behaviors and long-term wellbeing. To this end, this study therefore seeks to fill this critical gap by examining the knowledge, attitudes, and effects of menopausal challenges among older women in Ikot Isighe village, located in Mkpat Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The primary objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and effects of menopausal challenges among older women in Ikot Isighe Village, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State. Specific objectives of this study are:

1.To assess the level of knowledge older women in Ikot Isighe village have regarding menopause.

2.To examine the attitudes of older women towards menopause and how these attitudes influence their perception and response to menopausal experiences.

3.To identify the effects of menopausal challenges on the overall wellbeing of older women in Ikot Isighe village.

Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6  Scope of the Study

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter therefore, focuses on the concept of menopause, symptoms of menopause, stereotypes and taboos towards menopause, facets of menopause attitudes, etc. The chapter covers the following subheadings:

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Studies

2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Research Design: The study adopted a survey research design.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises older women of menopausal age in Ikot Isighe Village, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 384 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a stratified sampling technique to group respondents according to communities, while convenience sampling was used to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. Inferential statistics, such as Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses.

CHAPTER FOUR; DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)

The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:

i. The study found that older women in Ikot Isighe Village possess a moderate to high level of knowledge regarding menopause, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.58 to 3.83 for accepted statements on the natural nature of menopause, the end of the reproductive period, common symptoms, and associated health risks, which are above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. However, misconceptions and knowledge gaps were evident in the mean scores of 2.11 and 2.39 for statements relating to spiritual causes and the assumption that all women experience menopause similarly. This implies that although the respondents understand the basic biological and medical aspects of menopause, further health education is needed to address misconceptions and improve understanding of individual differences in menopausal experiences.

ii. The study found that older women in Ikot Isighe Village generally demonstrate positive but mixed attitudes towards menopause, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 2.40 to 3.50, with most statements scoring above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. The highest mean score of 3.50 indicates that many respondents view menopause as a normal and positive transition, while the mean score of 3.41 shows that they are concerned about its associated health risks. However, the mean score of 2.40 for feeling less valuable as a woman because of menopause was rejected. This implies that although most respondents maintain a sense of self-worth and recognize menopause as a natural stage of life, emotional challenges, cultural beliefs, and concerns about health risks continue to influence their attitudes and responses to menopausal experiences.

iii. The study found that menopausal challenges affect the physical, emotional, sexual, and daily functioning of older women in Ikot Isighe Village, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.09 to 3.52 for accepted statements, which are above the acceptance benchmark of 2.50. The highest mean score of 3.52 for frequent hot flashes and night sweats indicates that physical discomfort is a prominent challenge, while mean scores of 3.39 for emotional instability and 3.35 for sleep difficulties demonstrate additional effects on wellbeing. However, social isolation was rejected with a mean score of 2.47. This implies that menopausal challenges substantially affect the overall wellbeing of older women, particularly their physical comfort, emotional stability, sleep quality, sexual health, and ability to perform daily responsibilities, although significant social isolation was not established by the responses.

CHAPTER FIVE:  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary of the Study

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendations

5.5 Limitations of the Study

5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies

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