PSYCHOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR PATTERNS AND COPING STRATEGIES OF POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN RURAL BANGLADESH

Dr. Ajmari Sharmin, Dr. Shaheda Hamid, Dr. Nusaer Chowdhury, Dr. Ummul Khair Alam, Dr. Md. Ruhul Amin, Dr. Ayesha Haidar,Dr. Ashekur Rahman Mullick* and *Dr. Irin Hossain

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study in selected areas of Bogra from January 2017 to December 2017 was conducted to identify the coping strategies adopted by 213 postmenopausal women. Data was collected by semi-structured questionnaire after taking written consent. Coping strategies measured by questionnaire developed by Methodist University College Ghana. Among 213 respondents 66.2% are in the age group 45-50 years with the mean age of 50.16 years are from nuclear family and 56.3% had only primary educational background and 42.7% respondent’s monthly family income is in between 0-10000 taka. More than half 59.2% suffered from hot flush, 33.8% had sleeping disorder, 60.1% had joint problem or muscle pain, 46.0% had problem during intercourse frequently and 39.4% felt less desirable in family or society sometimes. Most of the respondents 73.2% were moderately stressed. Respondents used more social coping, followed by spiritual coping, Physical coping and medical coping. Age had association only with social coping. Educational level of respondents has association with physical coping, spiritual coping, and medical coping. Monthly family income was associated with their physical coping, social coping and spiritual coping. Assurance should be given through counseling that they do not have any disease, it is a part of normal physiology and again if the severity persist then they should go to healthcare provider.

Keywords: Mental stress, postmenopausal women, coping strategies.