PREVALENCE OF GENITOURINARY SYNDROME AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN EAST AFRICA: A Systematic Reviews

PREVALENCE OF GENITOURINARY SYNDROME AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN EAST AFRICA: A Systematic Reviews | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 10 December 2025 V1 Latest version Share on PREVALENCE OF GENITOURINARY SYNDROME AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN EAST AFRICA: A Systematic Reviews Authors : RIHAAM ABSHIR ALI [email protected] , Sowda Abdikarim , musa kasujja , EMMANUEL OKURUT , Theoneste Hakizimana , Dr.Rajendra Neel G , Abshiro Ali Hersi , … Show All … , Fardowsa isse muhuiadin , Kiptoo Aron Koros , Yasmin abdirashid osman , Husein Abdirahman Tifow , HANI HERSI OMAR , and Ahmed mohamed mohamoud Show Fewer Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176540409.95691480/v1 198 views 153 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Objective: To systematically review and synthesize published evidence on the prevalence, characteristics, and assessment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) among menopausal women in East Africa. Design: Systematic review of peer-reviewed studies conducted in East African countries, following structured search strategies and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Setting: Studies conducted in community and health-facility settings across East African nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Population or Sample: Postmenopausal and perimenopausal women aged 30–87 years, as reported by individual studies included in the review. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Lens.org using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Boolean operators. Eligible studies were screened through title/abstract review and full-text assessment. Data were extracted on author, country, study design, sample size, setting, tools used, and reported prevalence. Only English-language and peer-reviewed studies were included. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of GSM and related menopausal symptoms, diagnostic tools applied—primarily the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)—and associated demographic or behavioral factors. Results: A total of 169 articles were identified, with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. Half of the studies originated from Ethiopia, and 58.3% were community-based. GSM and related menopausal symptoms were highly prevalent, with urogenital, psychological, and somatic complaints commonly reported. Cultural stigma, limited knowledge, and minimal healthcare engagement were recurrent themes influencing underdiagnosis. Conclusion: GSM is highly prevalent among East African menopausal women, yet research remains limited and unevenly distributed. Strengthening awareness, clinical capacity, and standardized assessment tools is essential to improve diagnosis, care, and policy development in the region Supplementary Material File (maniscrupt menopuase.docx) Download 509.82 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 10 December 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords fertility and assisted reproduction menopause: endocrinology Authors Affiliations RIHAAM ABSHIR ALI [email protected] University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Sowda Abdikarim University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author musa kasujja University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author EMMANUEL OKURUT University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Theoneste Hakizimana University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Dr.Rajendra Neel G Kampala International University - Western Campus View all articles by this author Abshiro Ali Hersi University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Fardowsa isse muhuiadin University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Kiptoo Aron Koros University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Yasmin abdirashid osman University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Husein Abdirahman Tifow University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author HANI HERSI OMAR University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Ahmed mohamed mohamoud University of Cincinnati Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 198 views 153 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation RIHAAM ABSHIR ALI, Sowda Abdikarim, musa kasujja, et al. PREVALENCE OF GENITOURINARY SYNDROME AMONG MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN EAST AFRICA: A Systematic Reviews. Authorea . 10 December 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176540409.95691480/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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