[Characterization of hormone replacement therapy users in Campinas, São Paulo]

This study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based design to characterize climacteric women from Campinas, São Paulo State, based on use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). An area cluster sample was selected with 456 women 45 to 60 years of age, residing in Campinas, based on data from the Brazilian Institute of Statistics and Geography (IBGE). Women were selected by area cluster, and the reference unit was the census tract as defined by the IBGE. Data were collected through home interviews using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire provided by the International Health Foundation/International Menopause Society and by the North American Menopause Society and adapted by the authors. In order to characterize women according to current, past, or no use of HRT, a polytonic logistic regression model was used, with a backward selection process of variables. The authors conclude that the main characteristics of HRT users in the city of Campinas were perimenopausal status and higher literacy and socioeconomic class.