Influence of Menopause on Work Productivity among Health Workers in Public Hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Loading...
Date
2018-10
Authors
Wamaitha, Mwangi Edith
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Menopause is a normal process in women marked by a reduction in estrogen and
progesterone levels and eventual cessation of menstruation. Despite many studies on
menopause, influence of menopause on work productivity and performance are poorly
documented. The main objective of the study was to examine the influence of
menopause on work productivity among health workers in public hospitals in Kiambu
County. The specific objectives were to (i) To determine menopausal symptoms
presented by health workers in public hospitals, (ii To established the influence of
menopause on work productivity among health workers and (iii)To identify
menopause coping strategies adopted by health workers in public hospitals in Kiambu
County. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design constituting 239 women
aged 40-60 years in menopause as the study group and 239 women aged 40-60 years
and not in menopause as control group. The study used mixed-methods approach;
Simple random sampling was used to select study respondents while purposive
sampling was employed in selecting 20 key informants. A semi-structured
questionnaire was used to collect data from the study respondents while an interview
guide was used to interview key informants. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation,
chi-square and regression analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data collected
while thematic analysis of qualitative data. Findings indicated that mean age at
menopause was 48.5 years. The main symptoms presented by menopausal women
were anorexia, anhedonia, lack of concentration, irritability, depression, insomnia,
nervousness, muscle and joint pains, hot flushes, night sweats and loss of sexual
desires. Menopause was associated with work absenteeism (χ2=21.549, p=0.001) and
productivity impairment (χ2=76.979, p=0.001). Regression analysis showed that
nervousness (p=0.005, df=1, OR=7.909), lack of concentration (p=.032, df=1,
OR=4.608), breathing difficulties (p=0.010, df=1, OR=6.587) and anorexia (p=0.09,
df=1, OR=6.880) increased work productivity impairment. The main coping strategies
adopted by women in menopause were taking time off work, writing notes to avoid
forgetting, joking about symptoms, talking to other women, cooling their bodies by
allowing more fresh air in the room, double checking their work and negotiating more
flexible work hours. In conclusion, menopause symptoms presents with differing
severity among women. Menopause impairs work productivity and increases work
absenteeism. There is need for work places to adopt measures for supporting
menopausal women to improve work productivity and to mitigate its adverse effects
particularly, recognizing menopause as a workplace issue. This requires organizations
to develop and institutionalize appropriate policies and staff support programs to
support women during menopause transition and improve their work productivity.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of Degree of Master of Public Health (Health Management) in the School of Public Health of Kenyatta University