Prevalence and Associated Factors of Poor Family Functioning in Post-menopausal Women Attending Outpatient Departments in Thai Hospital Setting

Abstract

                Background and Objective: Menopause is a transitional condition that all women experience at a certain age. This condition affects many aspects of a person’s life, including family relationships, which can have an impact on family function. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of poor family functioning in post-menopausal women and its associated factors, to use as guidance and advice in caring for post-menopausal women attending the outpatient department from a holistic perspective Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study  Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 200 women aged between 45 to 65 years old in an outpatient department, who had a history of absent menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months. This includes an absence from surgery and from medical treatments that cause permanent ovarian failure. Data were collected using a questionnaire regarding associated factors and the Chulalongkorn Family Inventory (CFI), and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression.

               Results: Among 200 participants, the prevalence of dysfunctional family in post-menopausal women was 21% with its associated factors including having more than 3 children (adjusted OR 5.465, p 0.009), bloating (adjusted OR 0.335, p 0.026), excessive sweating (adjusted OR 3.456, p 0.003), and having an active sexual activity (adjusted OR 0.138, p 0.002). Conclusion: Factors related to increasing poor family functioning in post-menopausal women were having more than 3 children and excessive sweating; conversely, factors associated with reducing of poor family functioning were bloating and having an active sexual activity. Accordingly, this study can help increase awareness of holistic care in post-menopausal women attending the outpatient department. For further study, a longitudinal evaluation is recommended to determine the causal relationship among relevant factors. Moreover, an analysis of each aspect in family function and a qualitative study interviewing post-menopausal women and family members about their family functioning could be carried out.