Differences in strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms in full-time workers and part-time workers in Japan

Abstract

Working hours and working conditions are different for full-time workers and part-time workers. In this study, it was hypothesized that the strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia, and the proportion of women receiving clinical care differ between full-time and part-time workers. Four hundred and eighty-seven Japanese female workers aged 45 to 60 years responded to a health questionnaire about their understanding of menopause and their strategies for coping with menopausal symptoms. Based on the surveyed responses, the proportions of women with menopausal symptoms were 43.0% (80/186) in full-time workers and 48.2% (145/301) in part-time workers. There was no significant difference in the female worker response rate, nor were there significant differences in the proportions of full-time workers and part-time workers who had an understanding of menopause causes and treatments and who were able to cope with menopausal-related symptoms. However, there were significantly more full-time workers than part-time workers who received routine clinical care and who visited a hospital. On the other hand, significantly more part-time workers than full-time workers exercised and took dietary supplements as a means of coping with their symptoms. There are differences between female full-time and part-time workers regarding the strategies employed for coping with menopausal symptoms. The proportion of women receiving clinical care for their symptoms is greater among full-time employees than part-time employees. A physical examination can be a valuable opportunity for working women with menopausal symptoms to receive advice from a doctor or a nurse practitioner.Key words: Menopause, coping strategy, full-time workers, part-time workers. INTRODUCTIONIn 2007, the employment rate for Japanese females aged 15 to 64 years was more than 60%, and by 2013, this percentage had increased to 62.5% (SBJ, 2013). In 2011, the proportion of female part-time workers reached 45.9% (MHLW, 2011). Recently, part-time work has become a more popular option and has enabled Japanese women 2 Int. J. Nurs. Midwifery to maintain a balance between work and family life. In Japan, various types of female employment can facilitate greater equality by providing opportunities for women to demonstrate their ability to achieve a work-family life balance. Yoshii and Yamazaki (1999) reported that working conditions influence the status of health, though the effects of working conditions on menopausal symptoms are unclear. Researchers have shown that the frequencies of hot flushes and vaginal dryness in part-time workers were greater than those in full-time workers (Li et al., 2003). Previously, it was reported that the association of job-related stress with menopausal symptoms was different in full-time workers and part-time workers (Matsuzaki et al., 2017).Ways for coping with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia may be different according to occupation. For example, ways for copin...