Assessing the qualities of sleep and life for menopausal women after the February 6 earthquake

Earthquakes can cause significant changes in the qualities of sleep and life of menopausal women. The aim of this study is to determine the qualities of sleep and life of menopausal women after the earthquake. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 182 menopausal women who applied to the State Hospital between 24 June and 14 September 2023. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale (MENQOL). In addition to descriptive statistics, t-test and Mann Whitney U test, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression analyses were used to analyze the data. In the study, it was determined that the women's PSQI and MENQOL total mean scores were 8.21 ± 4.34, and 118.75 ± 45.73, respectively. There was a positive, significant, and moderate correlation between PSQI and MENQOL. Age, loss of a relative in the earthquake, place of residence, and PSQI total score accounted for 35.3% of the total variance for MENQOL. In the post-earthquake period, the menopausal women had a poor quality of sleep and a moderate menopause-specific quality of life. Their qualities of sleep and life were correlated with each other. Deteriorated sleep quality in menopausal women after the earthquake negatively affected their quality of life specific to menopause. In this regard, it is important to evaluate the sleep problems of menopausal women and prioritize them in disaster management strategies.