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The experience of the perimenopause among Botswana women (DISS)
1. Recent research in Western societies has shown that women's
experiences of the menopause are influenced by factors such as a
meaningful role, the social status accorded menopausal women, a
positive self-concept, and a productive job outside of the home.
While this adds new knowledge concerning the perceptions and
experiences of menopause among Western women, knowledge of
non-Western women's perceptions and experience of the phenomenon is
still lacking. The purpose of the study was to describe the
perimenopausal experience from the perspective of middle-aged
Botswana women in order to contribute to knowledge about menopause
as a phenomenon and the sociocultural variations in its
conceptualization and experience, and to provide data on which to
base nursing practice for the health promotion and maintenance of
middle-aged Botswana women.
2. Tape-recorded, face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted
with 25 rural and urban perimenopausal Botswana women whose mean
age was 49.6 years. One urban and three rural group interviews
were also completed to validate data from individual interviews and
to closely examine cultural norms and values of female events in
the premenopause. The interviews were conducted by the
investigator in Setswana using a semistructured interview guide.
The interviews were then translated into English and transcribed
verbatim.
3. Qualitative analysis of the interview data indicated that the
women perceived menopause as a natural occurrence for which only
God had control, a relief from menstrual bother and expenses, and
freedom from unplanned pregnancy. The women reported 13 indicators
of the menopause, the most frequent of which were increased libido
(64%) and irregular menstruation (56%) and the least frequent,
dyspareunia (4%). Ethnic variability showed no significant effect
on perceptions of the menopause or symptom experience. Botswana
women's self-care responses to the perimenopause depended on their
prior knowledge about menopause, their level of education,
socioeconomic status, the symptoms experienced, and the women's
understanding of symptom causation. The women sought help and
information from older relatives and nurses to validate their
experiences. They also used traditional medicines to treat
symptoms that they associated with menstrual irregularity. This
study raises important implications for nursing education,
practice, and research regarding the health needs of perimenopausal
women. |
Research Data
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| Ending
Year:
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1993 |
| Design:
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Ethnographic |
| Study
Type:
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Dissertation |
| Theoretical
Framework:
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Orem Self-Care Model |
| Description
of Sample:
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| Sample
Size:
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| Number
of Groups:
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| Sampling
Plan:
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none |
| Gender:
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Male |
| Minimum
Age:
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| Maximum
Age:
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| Data
Collection Settings(s):
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Communities; Home Environment |
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Question:
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Phenomenon:
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Data Collection Method:
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Interviews
Documents etc.:Oral history
Observation:Participation
Paper/pencil instruments:Questionnaires |
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Analysis:
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Analysis Method:
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Findings Narrative:
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Clinical Significance:
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Primary Investigator
Sheila Dinotshe Tlou, PhD
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P.I. Institution Name
University of Botswana
Title
Lecturer
Contact Address
Private Bay 0022
Gaborone Botswana
USA
Contact E-mail
Contact Telephone
2673511512389
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Secondary Investigators
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