Prevalence of menopause, chronic illnesses and life style of middle aged women in Karachi, Pakistan

摘要

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of menopause, chronic illnesses and lifestyle of middleaged women in Karachi, Pakistan. Design: A Cross Sectional survey was conducted among women of 40-60years living in socio-economically different areas of Karachi. Information was gathered on their currentmenstrual status, age at menopause, body mass index, exercise habits, weekly recall of food consumed andchronic illnesses. These variables were also examined according to the socio economic status of the area wherewomen reside. Results: A total of 1764 women in age group 40-60 years were interviewed. The prevalence ofmenopausal women in this age group was 39.3 percent (%). The mean age at menopause was 45.2 (±3.8) years.Only seven percent of women were doing some kind of exercise and approximately eighty percent had theirBody Mass Index 23 kg/m2 according to Asian Standard. Approximately 31 percent (%) of women reportedeating any type of meat at least four times a week, of these most were from higher income area. Majorityconsumed meat less than three times a week. Similar pattern was observed for consumption of fruits and milk.Approximately 36 percent (%) of women reported diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardio vascular heart diseaseand arthritis. Conclusion: The sedentary life style, obesity and chronic illnesses are highly prevalent and areserious emerging public health problem for 40-60 years old women of Karachi. We recommend that awarenessabout balanced diet, exercise and healthy eating habits should be inculcated in women early in life, wherepossible through schools and media. Health policies and public health messages should be formulatedaccording to the various stages of life cycle of women, so that women can prepare themselves for the next stageof life.