Knowledge of Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy Use in Low-Income Urban Women

Abstract

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can have significant long-term health benefits in postmenopausal women, yet rates of HRT use are low, especially in low-income urban women. Previous research has revealed that knowledge of menopause is a key predictor of HRT use in this population. A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 215 perimenopausal and postmenopausal low-income urban women was carried out to characterize knowledge of menopause and HRT and factors associated with knowledge level. Sociodemographic characteristics, patterns of HRT use, and knowledge about menopause and HRT were collected through a structured interview. Results revealed a general lack of knowledge about menopause and HRT, particularly relative to heart disease and the role of HRT in prevention. Major independent predictors of increased knowledge (R2 = 0.31) were having talked with a healthcare provider about HRT, having at least a high school education, and being less than 60 years of age. These findings emphasize the key role of providers in educating this vulnerable population about menopause and HRT and the potential subsequent impact on HRT use.

Impact of clinician and patient attitudes on clinical decision making for the symptomatic menopausal woman with or without comorbidity

“…One study of the discussion of hormone therapy (HT) use found that the highest levels of awareness and knowledge were in women who had discussed menopause with their healthcare providers [21]. Notably, these women were also at least high-school educated and under 60 years of age.…”

“…Notably, these women were also at least high-school educated and under 60 years of age. Appling et al (2000) note that populations of women who are more economically disadvantaged also have lower levels of menopause awareness and knowledge [21]. A recent US national survey by Ma et al (2006) found that the desire of menopause-aged women for guidance on the use of alternative therapies and hormone treatment is very high, while the clinician's preparedness to guide these menopausal women was less than their patients' expectations [22].…”

Menopause Knowledge and Subjective Experience Among Peri- and Postmenopausal Women With Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Major Depression

“…Between 12% and 20% of women were unaware that depression can be a symptom of menopause. While this study did not include a control group of women without mental disorders, studies evaluating fund of knowledge regarding menopause report substantial variability in nonpsychiatric populations (Appling et al, 2000;Clinkingbeard et al, 1999;Holmes-Rovner et al, 1996;Sharps et al, 2003). A community-based survey published in 1999 noted that 60% of women knew that osteoporosis risk was increased with menopause, while only 30% knew that heart disease risk was increased with menopause (Clinkingbeard et al, 1999).…”

“…It has been reported that highest levels of awareness/knowledge regarding menopause are seen among women who have discussed hormone replacement therapy with their health care providers, those who have at least a high school education, and those who are less than 60 years of age (Appling et al, 2000). In contrast, low-income and minority women in primary care populations (Appling et al, 2000;Holmes-Rovner et al, 1996) may be poorly informed regarding menopause, and like the women with SMI in this sample, may also be relatively uninformed regarding menopause-related risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.…”

Assessment of Middle Aged Teacher's Knowledge about Hormone Replacement Therapy

“…(G. (A. Jassim,) (15) study of Knowledge of Bahraini women about the menopause and hormone therapy: implications for health-care policy, aged 30-64 years, revealed that the knowledge of Bahraini women about menopause and HT is average. (Susan) (16) Study was conducted to assess Knowledge of Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy Use in Low-Income Urban Women, A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 215 women , demographic characteristics, hormone therapy use, and knowledge about menopause and HRT were collected through a structured interview, the results revealed a general lack of knowledge about HRT. Not similar to (Saima) (17) A clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women of age 40 and above.…”