The Effect of Structured Educational Program by Support Group on Menopause Women's Quality of Life

Measuring the quality of life among menopause women is one of the efficiency proofs in health education; hence, this study was conducted to determine the effect of structured educational program by support group on quality of life among menopause women.

In a single blind field study from August to December 2011 in Saadatmandy health care center of Robat Karim town, 110 menopause women meeting inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling method. After taking the consent form, they were randomly allocated to either of the control or support group (55 subjects in each group). The support group was divided into 6 groups (5 groups of 9 and a group of 10 subjects). The educational program was performed in predetermined days of the week and for 10 consecutive sessions of 120 minutes.The scores for quality of life level achieved before the educational program and a month after that were compared using Menopause specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL). No intervention was done in control group.

The execution of structured educational program by support group in intervention group indicated a statistically significant difference in quality of life level among menopause women (reduction of symptoms from 153.76±38.61 to 113.31±24.35, P<0.001). No significant change was found in quality of life scores achieved by control group.

Structured educational program by support group could be used as an appropriate strategy which helps menopause women to promote their health and encounter with menopause symptoms in a healthier manner and in conclusion promote their quality of life. This educational program could be applied in health intervention and health care programs in our country.