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 and Rachael Gooberman-Hill
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Sarah Drew: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
Keabetswe Khutsoane: South African Medical Research Council/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
Nyasha Buwu: Biomedical Training and Research Institute, Harare P.O. Box CY 1753, Zimbabwe
Celia L. Gregson: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
Lisa K. Micklesfield: South African Medical Research Council/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
Rashida A. Ferrand: Biomedical Training and Research Institute, Harare P.O. Box CY 1753, Zimbabwe
Rachael Gooberman-Hill: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: 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 resources. 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.

Keywords: co-production; qualitative; menopause; Zimbabwe; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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