Knowledge and attitude of primary care doctors towards management of postmenopausal symptoms

Background: According to the current recommendations, women with post-menopausal symptoms should be managed. Knowledge and perception of primary care physicians towards management of postmenopausal symptoms are deficient. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore knowledge and attitude of primary care doctors towards management of postmenopausal symptoms. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey that was conducted from October to December 2010 in the five health regions in Kuwait. Two centers were selected randomly from each health region. All physicians who were currently working in the selected centers were asked to participate in the study. Out of 209 physicians, 142 agreed to participate and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that 82.4% of physicians had moderate knowledge about treatment options for postmenopausal symptoms, 88.0% discussed postmenopausal symptoms with their patients, and 45.1% of them either described or referred their patients for hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The correct answers regarding 10 statements related to theWomenHealth Initiative finding were ranging from 2.8% to 78.9% which indicated low level of knowledge. Regarding the effectiveness of hormonal replacement therapy in postmenopausalwomen, the majority of the physicians agreed correctly thatHRTis effective in prevention of osteoporosis (87.3%), treatment of vasomotor symptoms (83.7%), and treatment of vulvo-vaginal symptoms (82.4%). Therewas a variation among physicians opinion about the effectiveness of certain treatment options for managing hot flushes in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is a lack of primary care physicians knowledge and confidence in recognizing signs and symptoms ofmenopause and in identifying and prescribing appropriate management.