Chapter II Literature Review
2.6. Analyses o f kinetic energy
2.6.1. Analyses of segment kinetic energy in the golf swing
82(46.1) 131(74.9) 96(53.9) 44(25.1)
x2= 9.33 P value =0.002256
44(24.4) 40(22.2) 136(75.5) 140(77.8)
x2 =0.25 p value=0.618171
MEDICAL Good
Poor
p value
54(30.3) 151(86.3) 124(69.7) 24(13.7)
x2=7.99 p value= 0.004700
72(40.0) 60(33.3) 108(60.0) 120(66.7)
x2 = 1.72 p value=0.189373 SOCIAL
Good Poor
p value
64(36.0) 156(89.1) 114(64.0) 19(10.9)
x2 =7.32 p value= 0.006820
56(31.1) 28(15.6) 124(68.9) 152(84.4)
x2= 12.17 p value=0.000485
There was a statistically significant increase in the study respondents’
psychological, medical and social adjustments practices to menopause (p value = 0.050000), unlike among the control where a significant change in adjustment practices was observed only in social adjustment practices (p value =0.000001).
Table 12: Rank-Ordered Mean Score of Respondents’ Adjustment Practices Towards Menopause by Sociodemographic Variables
Sociodemographic variable and sub-group
Group (values of APTMS in mean and Rankings)
STUDY GROUP CONTROL GROUP
Pre
Mean score/ ranking Post
Mean score/ ranking Pre
Mean score/ ranking
Post
Mean score/ ranking
Age 40-49 50-59 60-69
70 and above p value Religion Christianity Islam p value
Education Status 1 None
2 Primary 3 Secondary 4PostSecod p value Marital Status 2 Married 3 Widowed 4 Divorced 5 Separated p value Tribe Yoruba Ibo Hausa p value
33.35 4th 35.00 4th 33.98 3rd 38.45 3rd 35.60 2nd 51.69 2nd 38.38 1st 52.39 1sth
t=15.30 df=3 sig.(2 tailed)=0.001000
36.48 1st 52.85 1st 35.85 2nd 50.14 2nd
t=14.74 df=1 sig. (2 tailed)=0.0430
34.00 4th 50.90 4th 34.32 3rd 51.30 3nd 35.74 2nd 51.60 2nd 41.43 1st 52.94 1st
t=10.674 df=3 sig. (2 tailed)=0.00200
36.31 2nd 56.00 1st 35.76 3rd 51.68 2nd 34.78 4th 37.20 3rd 36.75 1st 38.00 4th
t=12.00 df=3 sig. (2 tailed)=0.0010
43.10 1st 52.85 1st 35.78 2nd 39.14 2nd 31.68 3rd 49.54 3rd
t=5.957 df=2 sig. (2 tailed)=0.027000
38.07 4th 35.43 1st 37.11 2nd 35.33 2nd 35.00 3rd 34.93 3rd 34.00 1st 32.50 2nd
t=2.804 df=3 sig. (2 tailed)=0.068000
36.71 1st 32.25 1st 32.75 2nd 35.10 2nd
t=1.592 df=1 sig. (2 tailed)=0.356000
22.00 4th 32.68 4th 27.00 3rd 35.00 3rd 34.00 2nd 35.68 2nd 35.00 1st 42.00 1st
t=3.624 df=3 sig. (2 tailed)=0.036000
36.70 2nd 46.00 1st 37.44 1st 35.00 2nd 34.50 3rd 33.00 3rd 32.00 4th 29.00 4th
t=0.023 df=3 sig. (2 tailed)=0.833000
43.10 1st 52.85 2nd 35.78 2nd 50.14 2nd 31.68 3rd 49.54 3rd
t=5.957 df=2 sig. (2 tailed)=0.00270
At both pre- and post-intervention studies, menopausal women with post- secondary education ranked first in their adjustment practices towards menopause.
Menopausal women with secondary educational status followed them in second position.
However, there was a statistically significant (p = 0.000001) increase in adjustment practices towards menopause for the study group as compare to control group (p = 0.050000).
RESULTS OF THE FOCUS GROUP DISSCUSION
SOCIOCULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF AGEING:
In response to one of the topics for discussion on their feelings about growing old and ageing, majority of the discussants described old age as the “dusk of man”. Those who attained such age are accorded respect and usually appointed as arbiters in family (or communal) disputes and are seen as embodiments of wisdom
“Old age is a time when people are given respect, whether male or female. An important role we performed in the families and communities is to settle disputes, at the same time to set a good example for young people as well as to provide wise counsel”
said a discussant.
Among most of the women that participated in the FGDs, the recurrent theme was that old age is a gift from God and how you live it similarly comes from Him.
“My old age is God’s gift and it is pleasurable. I receive money, food, and clothing regularly from my children. I assist them in taking care of their children too” another discussant.
Most of the participants’ responses concerning difference in the way old men and women are treated was that the former are accorded more respect than the latter, because men occupy the position of headship of the household/family. Most participants remarked that young women received more attention than older ones because they are more agile and active.
Contrary to the above, a discussant expressed that old people are often accused of bewitchment and are frequently blamed or suspected for any evil occurrence within the families, villages or communities. “Such accusations usually start from the younger females,” asserted a participant
However, all the respondents agreed that the way old women are treated by family members and the community often depends on individual character; even though there is general respect for the elderly.
When asked about the roles of old men and women in the community; a participant expressed thus:
“ Haa, you see, it is the old women you meet at home when no other persons are around, or had passed away. So, it is from old women you can get correct and detailed history of the family, village and community. It is also the old women who will tell you the do’s and don’ts in term of the cultural practices of the people”.
RESPONDENT’S PERCEPTION OF MENSTRUATION
When asked why women menstruate every month, a few respondents spoke in an informed manner of shedding of the uterine lining.
“Menses allow women to be able to conceive. It is natural because during the month there is a nest that form in the womb and if there are sexual relations, the eggs fall out of this nest (Apo) and forms the menses, which flow to get out,” explained one respondent.
“When the sperm has not met with the eggs during the fertile period and when the eggs are spoiled they are gotten rid of in the form of blood. This phenomenon happens every month,” said another participant.
Many respondents, however, spoke of menstruations as representing “dirtiness”
within women that has to be expelled from the body. If this “dirtiness” remains inside, it may hamper future conception.
Stated a participant “The importance of the periods is that they get rid of internal dirtiness of the women in order to facilitate fertilization. The bleeding that happens to women each month is for no other reason but because it is the dirtiness that comes out in the form of blood. There is no other method of cleaning out the inside, and the periods play this role”.
PERCEIVED CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF MENOPAUSE
When the respondents were asked what menopause meant, its causes and consequences, there was consensus that menopause was part of ageing process. The participants in the FGDs used various phrases to describe menopause in local term. Some of such phrases were “ Kolelo agbala moo [meaning; she can no longer go to the toilet];
“Alejo reetilo [meaning; Her visitor has gone]; “Asiko re ti to [meaning; her time is up]
and “o tidi okunrin [meaning; she is now a male].
Some of the participants attributed disease to be a cause of menopause while others believed that it be could be caused by witchcraft or sorcery. The most dreaded social consequence of menopause is the risk that a husband may take another wife or obtain a divorce either because he (the husband) fears that he will become ill from having sex with his menopausal wife. “ My husband stopped having an affair with me since my menses stopped. He believes that having sexual intercourse with me may make him contact some diseases,” said a discussant.
Some participants however believed that menopause has an advantage in enhancement of religious participation. Several women in all the FGDs noted that with the cessation of menstrual flow they were now free to fulfill their religious obligations more adequately.
“During menstruation, I cannot observe the obligatory prayers and fasting. With the cessation of menses, I am free to participate in all religious activities”
Only a few participants thought that the physical consequences of menopause were more significant than their social implications. That physical change could be discussed with husbands or friends who, if they show understanding, could encourage the women to seek treatment.
Many of the stated physical problems of old women are similar and such changes include: generalized body pains, knee pains, insomnia, body weakness, and malaise including internal heat (hot flushes).
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AFTER MENOPAUSE
Different reactions were expressed to the question on whether women should still have sexual intercourse after menopause. Majority of the discussants stated that it was an abomination to engage in sexual intercourse after menopause.
“HAABA OLORUN MAJE [meaning May God forbid] I can never have sexual intercourse now. If we engage in sex I will have stomach pains and he will become impotent,” stated a discussant.
“ Sexual activity after menopause could lead to the death of the woman. It may result in pregnancy called IBU or IJU, (meaning fibroid) or Oyun isale (meaning lower abdominal pregnancy)” stated another.
“A participant also expansiated that there would be an accumulation of sperm in the menopausal woman who engaged in sexual intercourse since there was no menses to flush it out and such an accumulation resulted in loss of weight and watery vaginal discharge”
SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS FOR MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
The adjustment to major changes in any anyone’s life is easier if there is a strong social support network of friends and family, as well as a self-fulfilling position to occupy in the society. From the FGDs, well-educated women are more likely to understand and accept what is happening to them, there by being more contented with the changes in their bodies.
Among some other women such as Christian groups, e.g (Christian Mothers Union), Egbe Obirin rere (Good Women’s) Egbe Alafia (The Unity Club) and Egbe Ibukun (Blessed Club) were observed to be important in the social lives of older women.
Some women belong to dance groups with older women being the leaders. Such groups perform important functions/health tips, not only for women but also for the community.
Some of the social groups named are Egbe Agba (“The Elder’s group”), Egbe Obin Ile (Women’s group), Egbe Alasalatu, (Religion’s group) Egbe Amuludun or Egbe Iyaniwura, (Social club/friendship), Egbe Alajeseku (Co-operative Society), Egbe Alabiyamo (Nursing Mothers).
TYPES OF CARE AND TREATMENT FOR WOMEN IN MENOPAUSE
The way menopause is viewed determines to a significant extent whether or not women seek treatment for menopause related physical changes. In most cases, it was agreed that when women perceive that the cause of these changes is due to the normal cessation of menstruation, they do not seek treatment, particularly from modern medical services, until the physical complaints get more serious. Several participants noted that, in the past, herbal treatments were solely relied upon, compared with present day, when some women take advantage of modern alternatives. Younger women whose menstrual flow stops prematurely seek assistance, often from traditional or spiritual healers.
“Menopause can be a liberating experience and I know of many menopausal women who are happy and are enjoying it. What you need is an understanding of yourself and strong faith in God,” stated a discussant.
“I drank water regularly in order to take off my menopausal problem. Early in the morning, on rising from bed I drink three to four cups of water; it is a habit that helps me to reduce all those problems or complaints of menopause most especially internal heat (hot flushes)”. Stated a discussant.
“Anywhere I go I never fail to use bitter leaf as a remedy for menopausal problem. I squeeze the fresh leaves in water and drink. Drinking bitter leaf twice daily to relieves me of symptoms like hot flashes, internal heat and rheumatism”. Stated another participant.
“ Menopausal women should take plenty of pure honey. Those who take pure honey regularly will remain fresh, health and strong till old age. They will also go through menopause without falling victims of symptoms mix four desert spoon of honey with ½ glass of water and drink twice daily”. Stated a participant
Another useful herbal preparation to ease the symptoms of menopause was described by some of the discussants. The recipe for the tincture included: bulbs of garlic, and pieces of ginger soaked in dry gin for about two weeks and a spoonful of the concentrate is taken every day stated a participant.
Some of the participants however, believed that the secret to living an enjoyable and meaningful life after menopause is to take care of the body early in life.