Increased acceptance of HRT and improved level of information: A change in Norwegian women's opinion from 1990 to 1997

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the development in women's attitude to hormone replacement therapy, and the change in views concerning positive and negative effects. Methods. National cohort study based on telephone interviews in 1990 and 1997, of women randomly sampled from the Norwegian telephone book (n= 1019 and 1003). The same questions were asked in both studies. Results. In 1997, more women stated radio and television, doctors, friends and relatives as sources of information. The general attitude to hormone replacement therapy had become significantly more positive, and the respondents reported a higher level of information than in 1990. However, some misunderstandings about estrogen therapy still remain; the proportion of women who believed that estrogen treatment reduced the risk for breast cancer increased from 4% in 1990 to 15% in 1997. About one third of women aged 60 or more are current or past users. More than 60% of the women in the youngest age group state that they will consider use of estrogen replacement therapy. About four-fifths of the women in 1997 stated their willingness to use long term estrogen therapy if osteoporosis could be prevented. Conclusions. Estrogen replacement therapy has become a part of the public debate. A high degree of willingness to use estrogen is demonstrated. The self reported level of information is higher and women are generally more correctly informed about positive and negative effects.