Physicians' perceptions of menopause and prescribing practices in Morocco

Objective: To investigate the prescribing practices of Moroccan physicians around menopause. Methods: A survey was carried out on a representative sam ple of physicians in the capital city Rabat. The sample included general pr actitioners, gynecologists, cardiologists and rhumatologists, practicing in both public and private facilities. The instrument consisted of close- and open-ended questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of physic ians, their patient population, their prescribing practices, and their perc eptions of menopause and the different medical approaches to managing the s ymptoms and risks associated with it. Results: Most of the physicians inter viewed are positively inclined towards the notion of prevention and in favo r of hormonal treatment, and approximately half report that they have presc ribed hormone therapy. Gynecologists and male physicians prescribe hormones more frequently, as well as physicians who are at private facilities. Thes e findings are discussed in relation to the physicians' perceptions of the menopause transition. Conclusion: There are considerable Variations in pres cribing practices and perceptions of menopause among Moroccan physicians. ( C) 2001 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All rights r eserved.