Development and Validation of Menopausal Symptoms Scale (MSS) for Pakistani Sample

The present study was conducted to develop a valid and reliable indigenous measure for assessment of menopausal symptoms in Pakistani women. For development of Menopausal Symptoms Scale (MSS), items were empirically generated and were presented on a four point likert scale. A sample of 250 women, ages ranged from 40-60 years, was approached from the gynecology outpatient ward of a public sector hospital. The construct validity of MSS was determined through Factor Analysis which resulted in 26-items questionnaire. This process yielded four factors i.e. somatic and vasomotor symptoms, depression, cognitive symptoms, and anxiety. The construct validity of MSS revealed that MSS discriminates well between premenopausal and peri-menopausal women. In addition, criterion related concurrent validity of MSS was also satisfactory as there was a significant direct relationship between the criterion ratings assigned by gynecologist on intensity of menopausal symptoms and the scores on MSS. Moreover, MSS showed a high internal consistency reliability i.e. 0.89. In conclusion, this newly developed scale is a valid and reliable indigenous measure for assessment of health related quality of life of women going through menopause.