Impact of Women’s Health Initiative Study on Attitude and Acceptance of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Thai Women Attending Menopause Clinics
Sukanya Chaikittisilpa MD*, Mayuree Jirapinyo MD**, Somsak Chaovisitsaree MD***, Verawat Wipatavit MD****, Sosakul Bunyaviroch MD*****, Bancha Kanluan MD******, Krasean Panyakhamlerd MD*, Unnop Jaisamrarn MD*, Nimit Taechakraichana MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok ** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok *** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai **** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Police Hospital, Bangkok ***** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Somdej Prapinklao Hospital, Naval Academy, Bangkok ****** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taksin Hospital, Bangkok
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.
Materials and Methods : 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 treat-
ment 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.
Keywords : Menopause, HRT, Attitude, Acceptance, WHI, Thai women
