Changes in attitudes, knowledge and hormone replacement therapy use: a comparative study in two random samples with 6-year interval.

OBJECTIVES

To study changes in: (i) the prevalence of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) and (ii) women's attitudes and knowledge about the climacteric. Design. Cross-sectional comparison was performed on two populations of women both aged 46-62 years and resident in the same urban Swedish population over a period of 6 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 1992, a random sample of 5990 women, from five birth cohorts, 46, 50, 54, 58, and 62 years in the city of Göteborg, were assessed using a postal questionnaire technique. In 1998, the same technique was used and a similar questionnaire was sent to another cohort of women (n=5411) of the same ages, resident in the city of Göteborg. The overall response rate was 76%. Information was obtained regarding climacteric symptoms, HRT use, and attitudes and knowledge.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HRT use with medium-potency estrogens had increased from 13% (1992) to 31% (1998). The highest prevalence was reported in women 54 years of age (46%). The most common reasons why women started HRT were: hot flushes and sweats, depression/irritability, sleeping disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Forty-four percent of the women in this study were prepared to consider extended HRT if the treatment was free from withdrawal bleedings (35%, 1992). Eighty percent believed that the risk of osteoporosis decreased during HRT use (61%, 1992) and 68% thought that the risk of breast cancer increased (58%, 1992).

CONCLUSIONS

A marked increase in the use of HRT was reported between 1992 and 1998. Women's attitudes to HRT were more positive in 1998 compared to 1992. Knowledge about HRT among women had increased during the same 6-year period.