AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMENS PERCEPTION OF MENOPAUSE

This study describes the perceptions and practices related to menopaus e and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) elicited by semistructured int erview and questionnaire with 55 African-American women in focus group s. Major findings were as follows: (a) Menopause was perceived as a na tural transition related to aging; (b) psychological symptoms were vie wed more negatively than vasomotor symptoms; (c) self care and help-se eking practices were identified; (d) HRT was perceived negatively prim arily due to fear of cancer; and (e) books and other women were main s ources of information regarding menopause. The implications of these f indings for health assessment, teaching, dissemination of information, and decision making are discussed.