[Trends in preventive drug prescription in the Primary Care District of Seville [2000-2003]].
OBJECTIVE
To describe trends in prescription rates for biphosphonates, raloxifene, calcitonin, statins and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) between 2000 and 2003 and to assess the impact of mass media information on the interruption of the Women's Health Initiative trial on HRT prescription rates.


METHODS
We performed a descriptive, ecological study, with time (month) as the observation unit. Monthly rates of bisphosphonate, calcitonin, raloxifene, statins and HRT prescription, in defined daily doses per 1000 persons, were measured in the population assigned to 249 family physicians in 27 health centers in Seville. Trend graphs and time series analysis were carried out.


CONCLUSIONS
The prescription of preventive drugs has tended to increase between 2000 and 2003. The HRT prescription rate has decreased since the interruption of the Women's Health Initiative trial.
Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Granada, España, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, España. anamonroy@andaluciajunta.es
Ana
A
Monroy-Morcillo
Soledad
S
Márquez-Calderón
Teresa
T
Molina-López
Juan C
JC
Domínguez-Camacho
Clara
C
Bermúdez-Tamayo
Antonio
A
Escolar-Pujolar
D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013030:Spain