Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding menopause management among primary healthcare providers in Kelantan, Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Primary healthcare providers (PCPs) play a pivotal role in identifying menopausal symptoms, providing counselling and initiating management. However, information on their knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices in Malaysia remains limited. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding menopause management among PCPs in Kelantan.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among PCPs in Kelantan health clinics using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) on Menopause Management. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with knowledge scores.
Results: A total of 212 PCPs participated. The mean knowledge score was 19.45 (standard deviation [SD]=4.90) out of 30 (64.8%), while the mean attitude score was 38.97 (SD=3.83) out of 50 (72.4%). Among the participants, 42.0% often or always advised lifestyle modifications, whereas 52.8% had never prescribed menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or referred women with menopausal symptoms for MHT. Higher knowledge scores were associated with older age (adjusted β=0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.08–0.34; P=0.002), family medicine specialist (FMS) designation (adjusted β=3.06; 95% CI=0.26–5.81; P=0.032) and use of CPGs as an information source (adjusted β=1.91; 95% CI=0.30–3.52; P=0.021).
Conclusion: The PCPs demonstrated moderate knowledge of several menopause-related concepts and favourable attitudes. Higher knowledge scores were associated with older age, FMS designation and CPG use. Targeted education and guideline support may strengthen menopause management in primary care.