Hormone replacement therapy awareness in a biracial cohort of women aged 50-54 years.

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among women have focused on factors associated with the use of such therapy. Most of the studies involved populations of white women. Consequently, little is known about HRT awareness among the general population of women, and particularly among black women. The present study focused on factors associated with HRT awareness among a cohort of black and white women aged 50-54 years.

DESIGN

Of more than 2,700 women, aged 50-54 years, who were members of a health maintenance organization, 700 were randomly selected and mailed a questionnaire addressing their awareness of HRT, as well as their menopausal status, medical history, and sources of information on HRT.

RESULTS

Of the 700 women, 479 (68.4%) responded to the questionnaire. After exclusions, 421 (88%) were analyzed. On adjusted analysis, the factors most strongly associated with HRT awareness were a higher educational level, the perception of going or having gone through menopause, the presence of menopausal symptoms, and having undergone a bilateral oophorectomy. Black race (independent of educational level) was associated with a lower likelihood of HRT awareness. The most common source of information on HRT for women in this cohort was the physician, followed by the media.

CONCLUSIONS

HRT awareness among women is strongly influenced by race, educational level, and the perception of going or having gone through menopause. Public health efforts to encourage wider use of HRT among older women should focus on increasing HRT awareness among black women and women with a lower educational level.