[Climacteric. The first level physician's approach to this phase at the Mexican Institute of Social Security]

The objective was to know about physician's knowledge, attitude and practice toward climateric syndrome. An observational, descriptive and transversal study was realized in 520 general practitioners and family practice specialists in ten out patients clinics at the Institute of Social Security in Mexico City. A questionnaire of 22 items, which was validated by the Delphi's Technique, was applied to the selected population by one of the researchers (SM). The results were: 5.4% good, 78.9% regular and 15.7% non-acceptable about knowledge; 33.7% good, 44.2% regular and 22.1% non-acceptable for attitude; 5.4% good, 63% regular and 31.6% non-acceptable about medical practice. It was concluded that the knowledge of general practitioners and family practice doctors is reflected in their medical attitude and practice. Therefore we consider essential to train physicians in this specific problem.