This study on Knowledge and Attitudes pertaining to the Menopause in the Republic of Mauritius took place between June 2000 and July 2001. It was implemented by the Mauritius Family Planning Association and was funded by the Mauritius Research Council. The study grew from a realisation that there were various elements connected with the Menopause that were impacting on women’s lives but were perhaps not being adequately addressed.
The Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that all women will have to eventually confront. At present, many of the symptoms that are normal to this period in a woman’s
life may go untreated or, often, be treated as a series of unrelated illnesses. The study set out to uncover what was the current level of knowledge on the subject and what attitudes women in the Republic of Mauritius had towards the Menopause. As with any such subject there are also a number of beliefs, based on fact, hearsay or myth that accompany this type of subject. These beliefs were also under investigation. Finally, current practices were look
ed into, to try to ascertain what type of alleviation processes, if any, were used by women either during, after or leading up to the Menopause.
The study was conducted in both the Island of Mauritius and the Island of Rodrigues. This was important because of the different demographic factors applying to each island and because of the different lifestyles and life experiences of women in the two locations. The results of the study have been presented combined, as applying to the Republic of Mauritius, and separately for the Island of Mauritius and the Island of Rodrigues.