Original scientific paper
Menopause in Blackfeet Women – A Life Span Perspective
Susan L. Johnston
Abstract
A lifespan perspective, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, is used
to examine factors related to the timing of menopause in Blackfeet women of northern
Montana (USA). Cross-sectional survey data demonstrate a median age at menopause
using a status quo method of 51.6 years, and a mean age of 47.05.0 years among those
women who had already experienced menopause. Age at menopause is inversely associated
with age at menarche and having been breastfed, and positively associated with
use of contraceptives, household income, and current or recent employment. Household
income and age at menarche influence menopause age jointly in multivariate models.
These and other patterns are examined in the lives of two women with very divergent
ages at menopause. Although these data support an effect of early life influences on
shaping reproductive trajectories that culminate in menopause, environmental factors
and human agency during adult life may play a modifying role.
Keywords
menopause; aging; Native American; nutrition
Hrčak ID:
28081
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2003.
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