Use of hormone replacement therapy among Chilean women: a comparison between socioeconomic levels

To compare the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among Chilean women according to their socioeconomic level.

A total of 540 women between 50 and 79 years of age were interviewed in Santiago, Chile. Women were allocated into two groups (H, high; L, low), according to their socioeconomic status.

Each group consisted of 270 women. The mean age and percentage of menopausal women were similar in both groups. Of the interviewed women, 47% had taken HRT at some time; marked differences between the two groups were observed (L, 15%; H, 79%; < 0.0001). In group H, the percentage of women who had been advised about HRT was close to 88%, whereas, in group L, the percentage was only 24%. Among the women who were informed about HRT, 83% ( = 253) had used it at some time. The percentage of women who used HRT for >2 years was similar in both groups. The main reason for not taking HRT in group H was fear of adverse effects, whereas the main reason for not taking it in group L was the lack of medical advice.

The percentage of women in the low socioeconomic group who use HRT is low. Medical advice is fundamental to increasing HRT use in this group.