PROJECT SHRISTI: An Awareness Campaign on Perimenopausal Health

Nepal Health Corps – NAIHS (2022-2023)

Under the leadership of Ambassador – Dr. Priya Adhikari

Background

Menopause is a natural event occurring in every woman’s life that greatly affects their quality of living preceded by a major transitional period called peri-menoupausal period. There are a lot of physical, hormonal, emotional and psychological changed that occur in women during this period. In addition to that here are also a significant number of diseases associated with this change. The transitional period can be normal is some whereas in some it could be disturbing where they suffer in silence mot knowing about the changes going on in their bodies. One is prepared for menstruation as it is often discussed whereas one is taken aback by menopause. Thus it is necessary that we bring these matters to people.

Rationale

Nowadays there are lots of programs emphasizing menstruation, however menopause and peri-menopause are something that are usually ignored by our society. As natural as it is, it is less often talked about. Thus, it should be discussed not only among women but throughout the community so that the people get insight about the matter. It is necessary that we create create awareness in people that all women go through this and one should not hesitate to ask for help if required.

Thus, as a part of NHC, we decided to include this topic as a part of our program as this topic could be highlighted and brought to people so that the women understand their body and the one who actually needs help could come forward and ask for it.

Goals and Objectives

• To inform the school children, their mothers, grandmothers and teachers regarding normal menstrual cycle and menopause.
• To inform them regarding their different physical, emotional and psychological symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause.
• To educate them regarding lifestyle modification and healthy practices that can alleviate the sufferings of menopause.
• To inform about various complications that can arise following menopause.
• To encourage them to disseminate the information in their homes and societies amongst perimenopausal age group and also advocate them to seek gyaecological care when required.

Project Activities

Target population: Mothers and grandmothers of students, teachers and staff of Rashmi Secondary Schools and Females of Community
Venue: Rashmi Secondary School, Swoyambhu

Project Shristi was carried out in two phases:

Phase I

In first phase of the Project Shristi, a campaign on Perimenopausal health was conducted on 11th January 2023. The campaign focused on female teachers and staff of Rashmi Secondary School, Swoyambhu. Power point presentation was used to create awareness.

A video was also made by the team which included:

• Symptoms and management of menopause
• Dietary and lifestyle changes
• Potential health risks after menopause

To celebrate January as cervical cancer awareness month, session on cervical cancer awareness was conducted which was followed by a counseling session addressing the health concerns and queries of the participants.

Phase II

In phase II an awareness campaign regarding Perimenopausal Health was performed on 24th February 2023 along with the support from Anusmaran Foundation and in collaboration with Antardhoni Nepal.

Participants were given an overview about menopause, signs and symptoms, problems faced during the perimenopausal period and its management. It was followed by a session with Dr. Rosy Malla – Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shree Birendra Hospital as well as Jamuna Sharma, Psychological Counselor, Chairperson Antardhoni Nepal.

The program also included a health camp catering to the physical as well as mental health of the participants. Blood Pressure, height, weight of the participants was measured. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated followed by educating them about Dietary approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and lifestyle modification. A counseling session addressing the health concerns and queries of the participants was also conducted by a team of medical officers. Participants were also benefited by one-on-one psychological counseling session with Ms. Jamuna Sharma, Psychological Counselor.

Results and Outcomes

After the conduction of two phases of perimenopausal health awareness programme among the mother and grandmother, teacher and the staffs of Rashmi Secondary school, following are the result and outcomes:

• Verbalization of the understanding and knowledge about menopause, symptoms and its impact on women’s health.
• Participants gained awareness regarding the physical and emotional changes that occur during the menopause.
• Developed a sense of empathy towards women going through menopause.
• Participants learned to provide emotional support during this phase.
• Participants learned and were willing to adopt a healthy lifestyle, perform regular exercise, balanced diet and apply proper stress management techniques to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
• Participants were optimistic about advocating for menopause among peers, spreading knowledge and promoting understanding about menopause and its impact on women’s health.
• The health camp provided a platform for open discussion, addressing misconceptions , and breaking taboos related to menopause.
• Participants were happy and grateful to be part of one-to-one psychological counseling session with psychological counselor from Antardhoni Nepal ( a non-profit organization working for mental health), Ms. Jamuna Sharma.

Partnerships

Collaboration with: Antardhoni Nepal
Supported by: Anusmaran Foundation

Team Members

• Dr. Priya Adhikari – Ambassador
• Dr. Urusha Ghulu – Secretary
• Shress Krishna Poudel – Joint secretary
• Dr. Soumya Pahari – PR Officer
• Dr. Pawan Sharama – Treasurer
• Shreeya Sharma – Community Outreach Coordinator
• Deekshya Devkota – Academic Coordinator

Volunteers

• Dr. Yugant Khand
• Dr. Priya Mainali
• Dr. Pooja kafle
• Sujata Ghimire
• Toshlima Mabuhang
• Prajwal Bhandari
• Nishan Bhandari
• Jagadish Ghimire
• Neha Shah
• Sanjog Gurung
• Alish Bhandari
• Shreya Malla

Annex