Age at menopause and factors associated with attainment of menopause in an urban community in Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the age at natural menopause and identify sociodemographic, reproductive and other factors associated with the attainment of natural menopause among women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, community-based study, using a cluster sample of eligible women 40-60 years of age residing in selected areas. Questionnaires were administered to women at home or in their work place. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0.

RESULTS: A total of 1189 Nigerian women responded. Their mean age (+/- SD) was 48.0 +/- 5.9 years and their median age 48 years. The majority, 1000 (84.1%), were currently married. Of the women, 581 (48.9%) were premenopausal, 119 (10.0%) perimenopausal and 489 (41.1%) postmenopausal. The median age at menopause using probit analysis was 50.2 years. Following logistic regression analysis, women who were not married and those who had no formal education were more likely to have attained menopause. Similarly, women who were younger, had managerial or professional jobs, and had used oral contraceptive pills were less likely to have attained natural menopause.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be made to provide education about the menopause to all women in their respective communities, especially to those who are approaching their fifth decade and who have no formal education, to better prepare them for this change of life.