The effect of education and counseling services on compliance to therapy of women taking hormone therapy for the first time.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experimental research was to examine the effect of hormone therapy (HT)-related education and counseling on compliance.


METHODS
The 119 women in both the experimental and the control group were being seen in a referral maternity and women's health teaching hospital's menopause outpatient clinic. Similarity between experimental and control groups was ensured using one-to-one pairing. The data were collected using a questionnaire and a follow-up form. The experimental group was given group education and an educational booklet on the first day they began therapy and counseling in the third and sixth months of therapy. The control group was not given counseling or education. Chi-square was used in data evaluation.


RESULTS
There was no difference between the groups at the third month for those who were continuing HT (P > 0.05), but at the sixth month a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). The primary reason for stopping HT at the third month in the experimental group was fear of cancer and in the control group it was the side effects of HT. At 6 months, the primary reason for stopping HT in the experimental group was, again, fear of cancer but in the control group it was the woman's desire not to continue. There was no significant difference in the groups at either 3 or 6 months in experiencing benefits or side effects from HT (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Education and counseling services given by nurses or other health care personnel have an effect on long-term compliance with HT.
Akkuzu
Gülcihan
G
Hacettepe University School of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
Eroğlu
Kafiye
K
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires