Impact of women's health initiative study on attitude and acceptance of hormone replacement therapy in Thai women attending menopause clinics

• Main Authors: Chaikittisilpa S., Jirapinyo M., Chaovisitsaree S., Wipatavit V., Bunyaviroch S., Kanluan B., Panyakhamlerd K., Jaisamrarn U., Taechakraichana N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34247391917&partnerID=40&md5=f36a29d188ade249ffba2165184ffe51; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/2239
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Objective: To assess the attitude and acceptance of Thai women attending menopause clinics on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) publication. Material and Method: A standardized questionnaire was used to assess attitude and acceptance of HRT in 1,206 women who visited menopause clinics in six hospitals between September 2005 and February 2006. Results: Of the total respondents, 92% were in the age of 40-70 years, 75% were in their peri- and post menopause, 25% were current users and the average duration of hormone use was 5.6 ± 5.3 years. The women's perception of hormone benefits on osteoporosis prevention, skin improvement, and hot flashes treatment were 39.1%, 31.7%, and 28.9%, respectively. The most common concern of hormone use was malignancy. Hormone side effects were found to be the most common reason for switching hormone regimen. Of all the past users, 85% stopped HRT because they changed to another treatment regimen. Only 3.7% had been aware of the WHI, of which 43.5% were influenced by its results. The most common source of HRT information was from doctors. For the ever users, 72.3% had some knowledge about HRT. Conclusion: The present survey revealed that very few women had been aware of the WHI study. Nevertheless, the prevalence of HRT current users was lower compared to a prior survey before the WHI publication. Doctors appeared to be the important source of HRT information, which may indirectly have an influence over women's attitude and acceptance on HRT.