Health-Seeking Behaviour and Lifestyle Practices Among Postmenopausal Women in Tsunami Resettlement Colonies of Chennai

Abstract

Background: Postmenopausal women living in disaster-resettled urban colonies often face intersecting vulnerabilities that may influence their health-seeking behaviour and daily lifestyle practices. This study assessed the level of health-related practices and explored associations with selected sociodemographic factors among postmenopausal women residing in tsunami resettlement colonies of Chennai.

Methods: A community-based descriptive study was conducted among 100 postmenopausal women selected by purposive sampling from two tsunami resettlement colonies. Data were collected using (i) a structured proforma on sociodemographic variables; (ii) the Modified Greene Climacteric Scale for symptoms; and (iii) a 24‑item lifestyle and health‑seeking checklist covering diet, physical activity, addiction, sleep, screening, and care‑seeking. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, and chi‑square tests for association at α=0.05.

Results: Eight percent of women reported mild, 85% moderate, and 7% severe menopausal symptoms. Regarding lifestyle and health‑seeking practices, 3% demonstrated poor practices, 89% average, and 8% good. Occupation and monthly family income were significantly associated with overall practice level, whereas age, parity, and marital status were not.

Conclusion: Most women exhibited average lifestyle and health‑seeking practices, indicating scope for strengthened community‑based education, access to screening, and low‑cost behaviour‑change interventions in resettlement settings.