The associations of hormone replacement therapy and preventive practices in minority women

OBJECTIVES: Minority women are less likely to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the health characteristics associated with HRT use in this population are not well studied. We sought to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, health and preventive practices associated with HRT use among minority women. DESIGN: Survey SETTING: Inpatient and outpatient units of a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 333 minority women aged 50 and above. VARIABLES: HRT use, demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and selected preventive practices. RESULTS: 14% of the study population, all minority women were using HRT. Regular exercise (p=0.03), and good perceived health status (p=0.02) were significant predictors of HRT use. None of the cancer screening measures studied were associated with HRT use. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small proportion of minority women were using HRT. Regular exercise and perceived good health were significant predictors of HRT use.