Factors affecting a woman's intent to adopt hormone replacement therapy for menopause.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of attitude toward menopause, knowledge of menopause, social support for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and self-efficacy for HRT with intention to adopt HRT for menopause.


METHODS
A prospective design, to explore the relationship between predictors and the criterion, intent to adopt HRT.


METHODS
The participants were recruited from clinic sites in rural Nebraska and Wyoming.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 167 perimenopausal/menopausal women ages 39 to 58.


METHODS
Multiple regression was used to examine the relationships between predictors and the criterion, intent to adopt HRT.


RESULTS
Self-efficacy was found to predict intent to adopt HRT to a higher degree than the other predictors of support and knowledge. The combined influence of all three predictors affected intent to adopt HRT to a greater degree than any of the variables independently, R2 = .45.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that self-efficacy, support, and knowledge may affect a woman's intent to adopt HRT. A higher priority needs to be placed on enhancing a menopausal woman's self-efficacy, support, and knowledge to facilitate adoption of HRT.
Wilhelm
Susan L
SL
College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Scottsbluff 69361-4939, USA. slwilhel@unmc.edu
D000328:Adult; D002979:Climacteric; D003657:Decision Making; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009329:Nebraska; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012424:Rural Population; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D014959:Wyoming