C. Finley et al., Disparities in hormone replacement therapy use by socioeconomic status in a primary care population, J COMM HEAL, 26(1), 2001, pp. 39-50
The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a controversial decision fo
r many women, yet few studies have evaluated the socio-demographic, psychol
ogical, and behavioral correlates of HRT use. This cross-sectional, mailed
survey evaluated the associations of socioeconomic status, preventive healt
h behaviors, knowledge and perceptions about HRT-related risks and benefits
with HRT use among 428 women 50-70 years old in Vermont. The overall preva
lence of HRT use was 40%. Women of moderate to high income were three times
more likely than those of low income to use HRT. HRT use was significantly
higher among women whose physician had encouraged use (58%) than among tho
se who received ambivalent recommendations from their physicians (20%). Hys
terectomy, higher income, younger age, regular adherence to cervical cancer
screening, and recommendation by a provider were significantly associated
with HRT use in multivariate analyses. There were no differences in HRT use
according to level of concern about heart disease, osteoporosis, or breast
cancer. A recommendation by a health care provider is a powerful predictor
of HRT use, but disparities in use exist by socioeconomic status. Future r
esearch should examine why lower income women are less likely to use HRT an
d whether the discrepancy is due to inconsistent recommendations by health
care providers.