Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Young Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) in Menopause Management: Unveiling Insights From India

Abstract

Background Menopause management poses a substantial public health challenge in India, characterized by a large and growing population of aging women. With more women undergoing this transition, there is growing interest in addressing its health implications. Despite its significance, there is a noticeable deficiency in the data concerning the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among young Indian obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) regarding menopause management. Objectives As part of a pan-India investigation, this research aims to systematically assess the KAP related to menopause management among young OBGYNs by identifying the knowledge gap and evaluating the consistency of clinical practices with current guidelines. Methodology A comprehensive nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted utilizing the CLIRNET digital platform, which facilitates collaboration and knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals in India. Our survey allowed open voluntary participation from 31,103 OBGYNs, of which 514 respondents met the inclusion criteria. Participants completed a detailed online questionnaire. Results The majority of respondents (474 of 514, 92.2%) correctly identified vasomotor symptoms as a primary complaint of menopause. Significant variations in knowledge and practice were observed based on years of experience. Among those with 0-3 years of practice, 54.1% accurately identified the average age of menopause in India, compared to 46.2% among those with 7-10 years of experience. In terms of management, 83.1% of OBGYNs with 0-3 years of experience recommended systemic estrogen combined with progestogen for vasomotor symptoms, whereas this figure dropped to 77.2% among the comparatively more experienced (7-10 years) cohort. Interestingly, younger OBGYNs were less likely to support the early initiation of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), with only 30.4% in favor, compared to 48.9% among those with 7-10 years of experience. Conclusion The findings of this study reveal a marked heterogeneity in the knowledge base and clinical practices pertaining to menopause management among OBGYNs in India. This observed variability underscores the pressing need to develop and implement targeted, experience-sensitive educational interventions designed to address existing knowledge gaps and standardize the quality of menopause care across diverse clinical settings.

Keywords: attitude; estrogen; knowledge; menopausal hormone therapy; menopause; middle aged; postmenopausal; practice; public health; quality of life.