Perceptions of hormone replacement therapy among African American women

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed for women to relieve symptoms associated with menopause. The medical community does not uniformly recommend HRT, and ethnic and cultural differences may influence a woman's decision to request and adhere to it. Thirty-eight African American women were enrolled in a qualitative study to investigate beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about HRT. Data collected from six focus groups were part of Ethnicity, Needs, and Decisions of Women (ENDOW), a multisite project investigating decision making and hysterectomy. Participants, age 30 to 65 years, were recruited from community agencies and public health clinics. The women were aware of the medical indications for HRT and its risks and benefits. Although a majority of participants were past or current users, they expressed reservations about the use of HRT and wanted a better dialogue with health care providers, including information about alternative treatments.