Menopausal symptoms and associated factors in women living with HIV in Cambodia

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and associated factors among women living with HIV in Cambodia. Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) assessed the menopausal symptoms, and SPSS Version 20.0 analyzed the data. The three most dominant symptoms, which were also rated the top three “severe” symptoms, were psychological: physical and mental exhaustion (91.5%), irritability (84.1%), and depressive mood (83.6%). The highest incidence was among the perimenopausal women. Severity of symptoms was associated with personal income, abortion, and intake of calcium supplements. Health-care professionals need to provide appropriate individualized interventions to maintain the social, emotional, and overall well-being of menopausal women living with HIV.

KEYWORDS:

• Cambodia
• HIV
• menopause
• Menopause Rating Scale
• severity
• symptom

Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by International researchfunds for the humanities and social science of Chonbuk National University in 2018.

Disclosure statement

The authors not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest relevant to the subject matter of the manuscript that have occurred over the previous two years, over the duration of the research being reported on, and/or that can reasonably be expected to occur in the foreseeable future. The authors also certify that the paper is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. There are no financial agreements with any companies or products described in this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was supported by international research funds for humanities and social science of Chonbuk National University in 2018.