Investigation of awareness of menopausal hormone therapy among medical staff in Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University

Objective To investigate the awareness and attitude towards menopause and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) among the medical staff of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Methods A self-designed questionnaire related to menopause and MHT was conducted among 1143 medical staffs in Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Results The best-known symptoms, in sequences, were dysphoria and depression (90.6%), sleep disorders (81.5%), hot flashes and night sweating (69.4%), dizziness and palpitation (59.3%), and paresthesia (50.3%). Of 1143 respondents, 42.1%(481) knew about MHT, and 62%(709) considered that MHT is necessary for symptomatic menopausal women. Significant differences existed in attitudes towards MHT between different titles and departments (P=0.027, P=0.000). Fifty-seven percent (651) of medical staff expressed concern about the side effects of MHT and had scruples about its use, 73.1%(836) believed that MHT can improve menopausal symptoms, while 54.5%(623) believed MHT can prevent and treat osteoporosis. Conclusions The awareness rate on menopause and MHT is relatively low among the medical personnel of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. There exist differences in attitudes towards menopause and MHT among different departments, doctors and nurses, and different titles. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2018.04.12