Objective To examine the relationships between temperature, season (summer versus winter), lifestyle,
health, mood, beliefs, and experience of hot fl ushes and night sweats (HFNS), amongst mid-aged women
living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Methods The UAE climate is hyper-arid, being a hot desert climate, with warm winters and hot summers.
A total of 372 peri- and postmenopausal women, aged from 45 to 55 years, from urban UAE regions were
included. Data were collected during both summer and winter months. Participants completed questionnaires
eliciting information about sociodemographics, HFNS (prevalence, frequency and problem-rating), health and
lifestyle (body mass index (BMI), diet, exercise), mood (Women ’ s Health Questionnaire) and menopause
attributions and beliefs (Menopause Representations Questionnaire).
Results HFNS were currently being experienced by 46.5% of women, with an average weekly frequency of
fi ve and problem-rating of 5.7/10. Seasonal variation in temperature was not associated with prevalence,
frequency or problem-rating. Hot fl ush prevalence was associated with poor health, life satisfaction, mood,
employment, lower BMI and diet. Higher frequency was associated with higher BMI and more years since
the last period. HFNS were more problematic mainly for women who reported lower life satisfaction and
held more negative beliefs about the menopause.
Conclusions In this UAE study, temperature and seasonal temperature variation did not appear to infl uence
HFNS-reporting, but health, life satisfaction, BMI, beliefs and lifestyle factors partially explained women ’ s
experiences of menopausal symptoms. A qualitative study might provide further information about the
meanings of HFNS and menopause amongst UAE women. |
