Use of hormone replacement therapy among Chilean women: a comparison between socioeconomic levels.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among Chilean women according to their socioeconomic level.


METHODS
A total of 540 women between 50 and 79 years of age were interviewed in Santiago, Chile. Women were allocated into two groups (H, high; L, low), according to their socioeconomic status.


RESULTS
Each group consisted of 270 women. The mean age and percentage of menopausal women were similar in both groups. Of the interviewed women, 47% had taken HRT at some time; marked differences between the two groups were observed (L, 15%; H, 79%; < 0.0001). In group H, the percentage of women who had been advised about HRT was close to 88%, whereas, in group L, the percentage was only 24%. Among the women who were informed about HRT, 83% ( = 253) had used it at some time. The percentage of women who used HRT for >2 years was similar in both groups. The main reason for not taking HRT in group H was fear of adverse effects, whereas the main reason for not taking it in group L was the lack of medical advice.


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of women in the low socioeconomic group who use HRT is low. Medical advice is fundamental to increasing HRT use in this group.
Blümel
Juan E
JE
Hospital Barros Luco-Trudeau, Department of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
Castelo-Branco
Camil
C
Riquelme
Ruth
R
Araya
Hernán
H
Jaramillo
Pedro
P
Tacla
Ximena
X
Colodrón
Marta
M
Lavín
Pablo
P
D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors