Association of Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Factors with Menopause-specific Quality of Life: A Community-based Cross-Sectional Study from Northern India

Abstract

Background: Menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) in middle-aged women gives us an outline of ramifications of menopause in their life. This study was aimed at assessing the MENQOL among middle-aged women in urban Meerut and to determine the association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with MENQOL. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study among middle-aged women was conducted in the urban area of Meerut. The estimated sample size was 300. Study subjects were selected by a multistage sampling method. Data collection was done using a pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire. Association was assessed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Overall mean ± standard deviation score of MENQOL among study subjects was 3.1 ± 1.2. Women sleeping <5 hours in a day were 2.241 times more likely to have a poor quality of life (AOR: 2.241). In the psychosocial domain, lower middle class (AOR: 5.316) and lower class (AOR: 5.732) categories of socioeconomic classification revealed a robust association with poor psychosocial MENQOL in comparison with upper class women, with P values of 0.002 and 0.021, respectively. Tobacco users were significantly (P = 0.019) more likely (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.247) to encounter a poor sexual quality of life. Conclusions: Half of the study participants had a good MENQOL, with significant differences in MENQOL among the different domains. It was found that shorter sleep duration impacted overall MENQOL. Domain-wise analysis showed socioeconomic status in the psychosocial domain and marital status, occupation, and tobacco usage in the sexual domain as significant predictors.