[Factors associated with calcium, vitamin D supplements intake and use of hormonal replacement therapy in health workers postmenopausal women].
OBJECTIVE
To know the frequency and factors associated with the intake of calcium (Ca), vitamin D supplements and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among postmenopausal (PM) health professionals women.


METHODS
During January to June 2004, health workers women of IMSS General Hospitals in Tijuana and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, were invited to participate. An interview and measurement of calcaneous bone mineral density (BMD) were performed. The following variables were assessed: sociodemographic, clinic and gynecologic features. We defined preventive osteoporosis (OP) treatment as the use of HRT, intake of Ca supplements (> or =1000 mg/ day) and supplements of vitamin D for a least six months.


RESULTS
Among 739 women interviewed, 312 were PM, and 31%, 25% and 31% have been taking Ca supplements, vitamin D, and HRT respectively. Calcium, vitamin D supplements intake and use of HTR was similar during the menopause evolution. The variables significantly associated with the use of preventive OP treatment were older age, low weight, previous ooferectomy and use of corticosteroids. In the multivariate analysis, age and underweight were significantly associated with a low bone mass density, independently of the use of preventive OP treatment


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency and length of time of Ca, vitamin D supplements intake and use of HRT was low, and 50% of PM health professional women are not under preventive OP therapy.
Zonana-Nacach
Abraham
A
Unidad de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiología, Hospital General Regional No. 20, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Tijuana, Baja California, México. zonanaa@yahoo.com
Armenta-Rivera
Odin Tonatiuh
OT
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium