First author and year: Odiari, 2012

Study design:

Qualitative - Interviews

Objective:

To investigate how women in low resource setting manage menopausal symptoms without HRT

Setting:

Ghana, Accra regional hospital

Participants:

N = 34 (meeting criteria from 82 considered). Mean age 58 years

How recruited:

Purposive sampling from clinic with random approach for inclusion

When:

Not stated

Inclusion criteria:

Had experienced natural menopause. No history of cardiac disease or arthritis before menopause. Conversant in English or Ghanaian languages

Tools and data collection:

Semi-structured interview guide. Data collection suspended when data saturation was reached

Analysis:

NVivo 8 software. Chi-square test. Content analysis.

People who previously experienced menopause (Friends, colleagues or family) = 55.9%

Health care providers/media/books/ church meetings = 44.1%

No exclusion criteria

Random sampling process unclear

Not clear whether two researchers were involved in data analysis

First author and year: Osinovo, 2003

Study design:

Quantitative - Questionnaire

Objective:

To investigate factors associated with attitude towards sex-role, self-image & marital satisfaction on psychological health status, perception of menopause and sexual satisfaction

Setting:

Nigeria, Urban

Participants:

N = 45. Aged 36 - 70 years (mean 51.4)

How recruited:

Purposive sampling from women attending a seminar on aging

When:

Not stated

Inclusion criteria:

Non-menopausal and menopausal

Tools and data collection:

Piloted questionnaire

Analysis:

SPSS software. Coefficient alpha: 0.94. Descriptive stats

Not stated = 36%

Health institutions: = 22%

Books = 11%

Doctors = 7%

Books/Health workers = 7%

Friends = 4%

Books/friends/relatives= 4%

Books/Friends/Doctors= 4%

Professional experience = 2%

Sex education = 2%

Not clear how many questionnaires were distributed in total

First author and year: Ramakeula, 2015

Study design:

Qualitative - Focus groups

Objective:

To explore and describe women, menopause and aging in rural villages

Setting:

South Africa, rural

Participants:

N = 24 to 32 (not specified). Aged 45 and over.

How recruited:

Purposive sampling in four villages

When:

Not stated

Inclusion criteria:

Pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women

Tools and data collection:

Four focus groups (6 - 8 women per group)

Analysis:

Tesch’s open coding. Clustered into themes and sub-themes.

Informed by nurse at a church conference

Data collection period not indicated

Not indicated if two researchers were involved in data analysis

First author and year: Saka, 2011

Study design:

Quantitative - Questionnaire

Objective:

To assess the perceived cause, expectation, knowledge and sources of health information, women’s knowledge and adjustment behaviour towards menopause.

Setting:

Nigeria, Ilorin

Participants:

N = 400 (396 providing information on sources used). Aged 40 years and over

How recruited:

Multi-stage random sampling

When:

Not stated

Inclusion criteria:

Menopausal women with 12 months amenorrhoea

Tools and data collection:

Semi-structured questionnaire translated from English to other languages as required

Analysis:

EpiInfo software. Means and frequencies. Chi-square test.

Friends = 38.6%

Relatives = 28.0%

Group meeting & religious home = 12.6%

Health workers = 9.6%

Books/news papers/magazines/mass media = 7.1%

Others = 4.0%

Data collection period not indicated

Validity and reliability of tools not indicated