RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the level of knowledge concerning climateric and menopause among family physicians and gynecologists and obstetricians of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), after a training process in institutional technical guidelines and in educational content for population. We also analyze possible changes in frequency of medical attention for climateric and menopause in the first level of medical care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective and descriptive study on 1) results of the knowledge evaluation by means of 23 questions with multiple answers, and 2) analysis of rates of medical care for menopausal and perimenopausal disturbances (N95 code, X Revision, IDC) from 1995 to 2000. RESULTS: The percentage of correct answers prior to training was 62.2 for family physicians and 65.9 for gynecologists and obstetricians; after training, 79.3 and 81.4, respectively. Both groups had on increase in knowledge levels (p < 0.001) but there were no differences among them. An increase was registered in medical care rates for menopausal and perimenopausal disturbances in the group from 45 to 64 years of age in the period from 1995 to 2000. CONCLUSIONS: All physicians had on increase in knowledge on climateric and menopause issues but without differences among them, probably because the care of this health problem is referred to specialized services and as well as to more attention on other more frequent problems in women's health. In addition, we did not find changes yet in the rates of medical attentions attributable to training and information to population.