Effectiveness of a Health Awareness Program on Menopause-Related Knowledge among Women in Dahod City, Gujarat: A Pre-Experimental One-Group Pretest-Posttest Study

Abstract

Background: Menopause is a universal midlife transition, yet many women reach this stage with
limited preparation and incomplete knowledge about symptoms, self-care, long-term health
considerations, and indications for professional consultation. This study evaluated a structured
community-based Health Awareness Program designed to improve menopause-related knowledge among
women in Dahod City, Gujarat, India.
Methods: A quantitative evaluative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design
was used. One hundred women were recruited from selected community areas by non-probability
purposive sampling. Knowledge was assessed using a researcher-developed 30-item structured
questionnaire (score 0-30; poor 0-10, average 11-20, good 21-30) with good internal consistency (KR-20
= 0.84). The 45-60-minute intervention used lecture-cum-discussion, explanation, question-answer
methods, and visual/written teaching aids in Gujarati/Hindi as appropriate. The posttest was conducted
seven days after the intervention. Descriptive statistics, paired t testing, and chi-square tests were used.
Results: Before the intervention, 52% of participants had poor knowledge, 40% had average knowledge,
and 8% had good knowledge. At posttest, 72% had good knowledge, 24% average knowledge, and 4%
poor knowledge. Mean knowledge increased from 11.42 ± 3.68 to 23.86 ± 2.94, a mean gain of 12.44
points (paired t = 36.90, df = 99, p < 0.001). Baseline knowledge was significantly associated with
educational status (p = 0.016), monthly family income (p = 0.039), menstrual status (p = 0.014), and
previous menopause-related information (p = 0.003).
Conclusion: The Health Awareness Program produced a large short-term improvement in menopause-
related knowledge. Nurse-led, culturally appropriate community education may be a feasible strategy for
strengthening menopause health literacy. Controlled studies with longer follow-up are needed to
determine retention and effects on health behavior and quality of life.