Age at Natural Menopause and Anthropometrical Parameters for Rural Nigerian Women in Zuturung District, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Background: Menopause is the expected end of reproductive life in a woman. The age at menopause is an important determinant of future health outcomes.
Method: We examined the associations of menopausal age and anthropometric parameters in rural Nigerian women. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of one hundred and thirty-five rural subjects in Zuturung district, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. They comprised 38 premenopausal, 22 perimenopausal and 75 postmenopausal cohorts of women. The subjects were selected based on some inclusion and exclusion criteria. After administering a questionnaire, the height (m), weight (g), and waist circumference (cm) of the women were determined using standard methods while the body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated. Results were presented as mean ± SD and data were analyzed using ANOVA with p<0.05 being considered as statistically significant. A posthoc test using Tukey was also utilized where differences were observed.
Result: The subjects had a mean age per group of 33.60±4.59 years, 46.00±5.80 years and 57.67±9.19 years respectively for the premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study showed a mean and median age at menopause of 44.23±2.74 years and 44 years respectively. Postmenopausal and perimenopausal subjects were more likely to be overweight (mean BMI 26.07±5.99 kg/m2, 26.42±7.27kg/m2 respectively) as compared with their premenopausal counterparts (25.18±3.48kg/m2); p<0.001. The postmenopausal and perimenopausal subjects also had a higher waist circumference (89.63±10.66cm, 92.19±11.91cm) as compared with the premenopausal subjects (83.73±8.00cm) p<0.001. Only 73.86% of the postmenopausal subjects had a BMI ≥25kg/m2 whereas the prevalence of central obesity (determined using the waist circumference) among the postmenopausal women was 79%.
Conclusion: These findings suggest a lower mean age at menopause, a higher BMI and waist circumference for the postmenopausal women as compared with their premenopausal women. We recommend the improvement of nutrition in the girl child and the establishment of menopause clinics in rural areas for early screening, counselling and follow up of menopausal women.