Improving Experiences of the Menopause for Women in Zimbabwe and South Africa: Co-Producing an Information Resource

Sarah Drew, Keabetswe Khutsoane, Nyasha Buwu, Celia L. Gregson, Lisa K. Micklesfield, Rashida A. Ferrand, Rachael Gooberman-Hill
2022 Social Sciences  
Women in sub-Saharan Africa report multiple impacts of menopause on daily life and have requested further information to support themselves. This study co-produced contextually relevant resources—booklets and poster—about menopause with women in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The study was conducted in four stages: interviews with women about the menopause; the development of prototype information resources; workshops with women to discuss country-specific resources; and the refinement of
more » ... During the interviews, women explained that they had not received or accessed much information about the menopause and thought the physical and psychological issues associated with the menopause had to be "endured". Prototype information resources comprised booklets and a poster with contextually relevant images and information. Workshop participants suggested several changes, including the addition of more diverse images and further information about treatments. The resources were refined, translated into several African languages, and endorsed by the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe and the South African Menopause Society in South Africa. Women will be able to access resources through healthcare clinics, community groups and churches. Working with women and other stakeholders enabled a development that was cognisant of experiences and needs. Work is now needed to improve access to treatments and support for menopause to reduce health inequities.
doi:10.3390/socsci11040143 doaj:0013d0b2f6c84f4a8b4bb887e0d063db fatcat:eafvygshevdmlpu6q6niyydpci