Evaluation of SF-36 Questionnaire Dimensions in Quality of Life of Postmenopausal Women Referring to Yazd City Health Centers in 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause can have negative effects on the quality of life of postmenopausal women. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of post-menopausal women in Yazd City, Iran.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 postmenopausal women over 50 years of age in Yazd. The standard SF-36 quality of life questionnaire was used to collect the data. The mean score of quality of life was calculated for the postmenopausal women in different domains based on their age, education, menopausal age, and number of children. Furthermore, the effect of participants’ age, education, menopausal age, and number of children was studied on the questionnaire domains and the mean menopausal age.

Results: The participants’ mean age  was 62±5/198 years and the mean age of menopause was 54±4/419years. Life expectancy had a significant relationship with  education variables, BMI, and number of children, but it had no significant relationship with occupation and age at menopause. The variables of education, employment, and BMI had a direct and significant relationship with the mean age of menopause, but the number of children did not show a significant relationship with the mean age of menopause.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, postmenopausal women were at an undesirable level in terms of physical health and social vitality. The information collected through this study can help the authorities to plan appropriate programs and take measures to improve the quality of life in these women.