The effects of perimenopausal health education intervention on perimenopausal symptoms, uncertainty and health behavior among midlife women in rural communities in southern Taiwan

This study evaluated the effects, at 3 months and 6 months out, of a perimenopausal health education intervention program administered to mid-life women in rural communities of southern Taiwan. Data was collected between August 2005 and July 2006. The study was a quasi-experimental design, controlled trial for middle aged women. Four neighborhood communities were requested to participate in this study. A randomized method was used to assign two to an experimental group and two to a control group. Three instruments were used to collect data, including the (1) Perceived Perimenopausal Disturbances Scale, (2) Perceived Uncertainty Scale and (3) Practice of Health Behaviors Scale. The intervention effects from the study baseline to a 6 months follow-up were estimated using a mixed effect model (SAS-MIXED procedure) for repeated measures of health behaviors, perceived uncertainty and perceived perimenopausal disturbances. A total of 102 women were included in this study, with 53 women in the experimental group and 49 women in the control group. After 3 months follow-up, health education intervention had significantly decreased perceived uncertainty (β = -7.44, p <.05). After 6 months, health education intervention had significantly improved perimenopausal disturbances and increased positive health behavior practices (β = -6.47, 13.05, p <.05). Health providers should continue delivering perimenopausal health counseling and health education to women living in rural communities. Hopefully, such will empower rural women to practice self care of their perimenopausal health.