[Menopause and hormone replacement therapy: prevalence in the town of Lugo].
OBJECTIVE
To discover the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and associated variables in the town of Lugo.


METHODS
Crossover study.


METHODS
The town of Lugo.


METHODS
A representative sample (506) of the women in the town of Lugo between 45 and 65 years old on June 1st 1993, taken from the municipal census by means of simple random sampling.


METHODS
A questionnaire, which included questions on gynaecological history, risk factors, social/educational level and knowledge and prescription of HRT, was filled in.


RESULTS
A total of 500 women completed the study. 4.07% of the menopausal women (C.I. 95%, 2.6-6.4) received some oestrogen preparation. 38.8% of the women (C.I. 95%, 34.2-43.5) attended the gynaecologist at least once after the menopause. The variable of having gynaecological check-ups was associated significantly with having paid employment (p = 0.001) and with a higher educational level (p < 0.0001). Out of the 48.9% of the women who knew of HRT, less than a quarter had received the information from Health Service staff.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of use of HRT does not seem in line with its proved efficacy. The percentage of women who have gynaecological check-ups after the menopause continues to be low. Social and cultural factors, in addition to those already described in the literature, are suggested as factors possibly conditioning both the above points. Programmes to match menopause care to the latest scientific advances should be set up jointly between Primary Care and specialists.
Martínez Anta
F J
FJ
Centro de Salud de Fingoi, Lugo.
Varela Prado
E
E
Suárez Peña
S
S
D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004493:Education; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Menopausia y terapia hormonal sustitutiva: prevalencia en el municipio de Lugo.