CONSANGUINITY AND THE AGE OF MENOPAUSE IN THE UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

Objective: The study examined the association between some biosocial f actors, consanguinity and age at natural menopause in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method: A cross-sectional population-based study using a multi-stage sampling design and face-to-face interview. Results: In a sample of 800 UAE females aged 40 years and above, there were 742 ( 85.8 %) respondents. The median age of natural menopause was 48 years. The bodyweight, parity number, occupation, smoking habits and consang uinity in marriage were the significant variables associated with the age at natural menopause. There were statistically significant differe nces between women in consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages with regard to BMI (P < 0.002), occupation (P < 0.008), weight (P < 0. 0001), age (P < 0.03), age of menopause (P < 0.005), parity (P < 0.000 1), mother's age at menopause (P < 0.007) and sister's age at menopaus e (P < 0.002). Conclusion: The study showed that among UAE women, cons anguinity of marriage, maternal and sister's age at menopause, BMI, pa rity number and smoking habits significantly influence the natural age of menopause. (C) 1998 International Federation of Gynecology and Obs tetrics.