Climacteric women seeking medical care, Brazil

Authors

  • Adriana Orcesi Pedro Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas; Departamento de Tocoginecologia
  • Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas; Departamento de Tocoginecologia
  • Lúcia Costa-Paiva Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas; Departamento de Tocoginecologia
  • Maria José Osis Centro de Pesquisa Materno Infantis de Campinas
  • Ellen Hardy Centro de Pesquisa Materno Infantis de Campinas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102002000400015

Keywords:

Women's health care, Menopause, Climacteric, Medical care, Patient acceptance of health care, Cluster sampling, Interviews, Questionnaires

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the causes and factors associated with climacteric women seeking medical care. METHODS: A descriptive exploratory cross-sectional population-based study was carried out. Subjects were 456 women aged 45 to 60 years resident in a metropolitan area of Southeastern, Brazil, selected through area cluster sampling. Data were collected through home interviews using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis were performed using Chi-square test, Cramer's coefficient and logistic multiple regression. RESULTS: About 80% sought medical care due to menstrual irregularities and climacteric symptoms. The main factors associated with women seeking medical care were hormone replacement therapy, marital status, and stronger psychological symptoms. The main reason for not seeking medical care was women's thought that their complaint did not justify medical attention. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high demand for medical care by climacteric women, but a significant percentage did not seek medical attention because they believed their symptoms were ordinary.

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Published

2002-08-01

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 4 (2002)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Pedro, A. O., Pinto-Neto, A. M., Costa-Paiva, L., Osis, M. J., & Hardy, E. (2002). Climacteric women seeking medical care, Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 36(4), 484-490. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102002000400015