Class of 2016 Abstract / Objectives: Specific Aim #1: Assess no difference in patient satisfaction. Our working hypothesis is that there is no difference in satisfaction with follow-up calls in women receiving HRT from pharmacists or pharmacy intern students at Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy. Specific Aim #2: Assess patient satisfaction with follow-up calls from pharmacy student interns. Our working hypothesis is that women receiving HRT are satisfied with follow-up calls for their therapy when it is conducted by pharmacy student interns, which enhances proper treatment guidance and adherence. Methods: This study will be a descriptive, direct comparison study that will use data obtained through an online questionnaire consisting of the following: four questions determining the patient’s demographics and eighteen questions on patient satisfaction with follow-up calls from Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy with pharmacy student interns. Results: Of the estimated 60 patients sample size, only 31 questionnaires were completed. The largest proportion of patients was between the ages of 51 and 60 (58%). The length of therapy in participating women varied quite significantly with one-fourth of patients on HRT for 4-5 years or more (26%). The patient satisfaction of follow-up calls conducted by pharmacy intern students survey results indicated, in general, that patients agreed that they were satisfied with the service that they were receiving from the pharmacy interns. There was no disagreement with the items, the intern provides education that will help me understand how to take my medications, being pleased that the intern is following-up, having input on hormone therapy, and with the items regarding intern professionalism and intern knowledge. The greatest disagreement was with three items asking about comfort talking with either a female or male intern, and the item about paying extra to ensure follow-up calls. Results from this study were compared with results from five questions adapted using a questionnaire from DiMaggio et al. Note that this study used 7 response fields: strongly disagreed, somewhat disagreed, disagreed, no opinion, agreed, somewhat agreed, strongly agreed. Data from DiMaggio et al used 5 response fields: strongly disagreed, disagreed, no opinion, agreed, strongly agreed. Responses were grouped by strongly disagreed, somewhat disagreed, disagreed, and no opinion in one and strongly agreed, somewhat agreed, and agreed in the second. The data from both studies were compared by considering proportion of patients who agreed at some level with each item. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (p > 0.08); both groups showed a high level of agreement on the five satisfaction items. Conclusions: The women receiving hormone replacement therapy in this study were satisfied with follow-up calls from pharmacy student interns at Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy. There is no difference in satisfaction with follow-up calls in women receiving HRT from pharmacists or pharmacy student interns. In addition to satisfaction, women are satisfied with follow-up calls for their therapy when it is conducted by pharmacy student interns, which enhances proper treatment guidance and adherence.

Class of 2005 Abstract / Objectives: To assess whether the satisfaction of women with the pharmacist administered bio-identical hormone replacement therapy consultation service has improved since the implementation of a follow up call program at Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 200 randomly selected women who had completed their HRT consultation and received all three follow-up calls provided by Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy within the time frame from July 22, 2003 to April 22, 2004. The returned surveys were then organized and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Additionally, independent t-tests were used to compare data collected in 2001 vs. 2004 on relevant questionnaire items of interest. Main results: Of the 200 surveys sent out to patients, 125 replied (a response rate of 62.5%). Over 50% heard about it through referral from their provider, and almost 35.2% from a friend or a relative. Regarding the follow-up call service, 95.9% of the patients either agreed or strongly agreed that it was helpful; however, only 73.8% feel comfortable discussing their concerns with student interns, who are responsible for the follow-up calls. In the assessment of new health conditions developed after natural hormone therapy initiation, 94.3% of the respondents reported with no new health conditions. T-tests revealed an improvement in patient satisfaction items between 2001 and 2004 with p-values < 0.05. Principal Conclusions: The results of the study showed that there was an improvement in patient satisfaction with the consultation service since 2001, and most of the differences found were statistically significant. The survey result also showed that participants were happy about the follow-up calls, which in terms, perhaps contributed to the increase in satisfaction.

The focus of the research described in this section of the thesis is the synthesis of compounds expected to bind strongly to both the estrogen β and α receptors and act as estrogen agonists. Based on earlier results in our group and docking studies we prepared a series of A-CD analogs, compounds 1, in which the usual 13-methyl group was replaced by an ethyl group. Docking studies also indicated that substituents at C8 could lead to enhancement of binding to the estrogen receptor. With this in mind two such derivatives, compounds 2 were prepared. A major concern in the use of estradiol in hormone replacement therapy is its potential metabolism of dangerous ortho-quinones. The 1,2-naphthalenediol derivatives 3 avoid this possibility. They were predicted to be potent binders to the estrogen receptors with the naphthalene diol portion serving as rings A and B and the hydroxyl group taking the place of the 17-OH group of estradiol. The preparation of several derivatives of 2 is reported. The estrogen receptor binding [ERB] relative to estradiol as standard has been determined at the University of Illinois for a number of the compounds prepared in this thesis. Unfortunately, the results were not as encouraging as expected. Importantly, all of the 13-ethyl derivatives tested showed lower binding affinity compared to the 13-methyl analogs. Similarly, the derivatives with substituents at C8 do not show higher activity than those having only hydrogens at C8. Finally, the situation with the naphthalene derivatives is, at this stage, still not completely resolved. The binding for the compounds thus tested is quite low, but it must be admitted that the structures thus far synthesized have a much lower LogP than estradiol, a factor known to greatly decrease the binding constants to the estrogen receptors.

Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of using compounded Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) in menopausal women, by employing the MRS. Methods: This study used a one group pre-test/ post-test. Included were 25 menopausal women, whom at initial BHRT consultation at Reed’s Compounding Pharmacy filled out a baseline menopausal rating scale (MRS). Eleven weeks into therapy, patients were asked to participate in this study and if interest was expressed, they were asked to fill out another MRS for comparison. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in overall MRS scores and in each of the 3 subscales (psychological, somatic and urogenital) (p</= 0.001). Additionally, when evaluating each MRS item individually, there were statistically significant decreases in all symptoms of menopause except for heart discomfort. Most improvements were seen in hot flushes/sweating, sleep and sexual problems (p<0.001). Conclusions: Patients using BHRT improved overall physically and mentally, which would be depicted by improved scores on the MRS.

Orientador: César Eduardo Fernades / Banca: Eliana Petri Nahas / Banca: Paulo Traiman / Banca: Luciano de Melo Pompei / Banca: Paula Andrea de Albuquerque Salles Navarro / Resumo: Avaliar comparativamente a eficácia da terapêutica de reposição hormonal (TRH) de baixa dose isolada ou associada à sinvastatina no comportamento de marcadores de risco cardiovasculares e do perfil lipídico e lipoprotéico em mulheres sintomáticas e com dislipidemia na pós-menopausa. Duzentas e quarenta e duas mulheres na pós-menopausa, sintomáticas e com dislipidemia foram randomizadas em três grupos de tratamento: A) estradiol (E2) 1mg/acetato de noretisterona (NETA) 0,5mg [E2/NETA] + sinvastativa 20mg; B) E2/NETA + placebo; e C) sinvastatina 20mg + placebo. A eficácia de cada tratamento foi avaliada pela melhora do perfil lipídico e lipoprotéico e dos sintomas climatéricos ao final de 16 semanas de tratamento. O colesterol total, o LDL-C, o colesterol não-HDL e a Apo B diminuíram de forma significativa (p<0,0001) ao final de 16 semanas no grupo que utilizou E2/NETA + sinvastatina e naquele tratado com sinvastatina + placebo. A relação Apo B/Apo A1 também apresentou redução significativa nestes dois grupos (p<0,0001 e p=0,0026 respectivamente). A Apo A1 diminuiu apenas no grupo que recebeu E2/NETA + sinvastatina (p=0,0055). O grupo E2/NETA + placebo não apresentou alterações significativas no perfil lipídico e lipoprotéico entre as visitas basal e final. Aquele que utilizou E2/NETA + sinvastatina apresentou redução significativa do HDL-C e da Apo A1 quando comparado às usuárias de sinvastatina + placebo (p=0,0233 e p=0,0231 respectivamente). No alívio dos sintomas climatéricos, os grupos que utilizaram E2/NETA foram superiores a sinvastatina + placebo. Em mulheres na pós-menopausa com dislipidemia, a associação de E2/NETA em baixa dose com sinvastatina aliviou os sintomas climatéricos de forma semelhante à observada com a E2/NETA isolada e melhorou o perfil lipídico e lipoprotéico de modo semelhante ao uso isolado da sinvastatina. O uso de E2/NETA sem ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: To evaluate low-dose hormone therapy (HT) + simvastatin for vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular risk markers. Symptomatic postmenopausal women (n=242) with dyslipidemia were randomized to one of three treatment groups: A) 1mg estradiol/0.5mg norethisterone acetate (E2/NETA) + 20mg simvastatin; B) E2/NETA + placebo; or C) 20mg simvastatin + placebo. Lipid and lipoprotein profiles and menopausal symptoms were evaluated after 16 weeks. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and Apo-B decreased (p<0.0001) in groups A and C, as did Apo-B/Apo-A1 (p<0.0001 and p=0.0026, respectively). Apo-A1 decreased only in group A (p=0.0055). HDL cholesterol and Apo-A1 were lower in A than C (p=0.0233 and p=0.0231, respectively). Relief of menopausal symptoms was better in A and B compared to C. HT + simvastatin were effective for the treatment of symptomatic postmenopausal women and improved the lipid profile similar to simvastatin alone. It also delivered an improvement in the simultaneous treatment of menopausal symptoms and dyslipidemia / Doutor

This is a study of a generation of women who are about to enter the climacteric period of their life, the menopause. Born between the years 1946 and 1956 they have been the object of continuous scrutiny by various interest groups. Because they are seen to be unique, many acronyms and titles, the most noted being the 'Baby Boomers' have been attached to them. The women of this generation have been classed as a Very active' generation, leaving a clear mark on society and the re-emerging women's movement. As they near menopause they are approaching a stage that could be seen as their last reproductive transition. For many women there is no cultural ritual, nor a single story to guide them through this period They are however not without advice. The 'big voices' of the drug companies, the medical system and the media, all tender their guidance as the dominant voice. These women have been told what to do by experts throughout their whole lives. It seems 'expert advice' on their reproductive phases have been penned mostly by men in the interests of treating, controlling and saving them. Control of their body remains a key struggle, both physically and linguistically. The purpose of the research was to study the expectations of this post-war, Baby Boom generation of menopause. The study shows that some women have made decisions to embrace non-medical help and accept menopause as an inevitable transition, while others are willing to consider medical help to enhance their 'quality of life '. Believing it is time to look after themselves, it seems many women will take a pragmatic view and accept medical opinion that the menopause is a deficiency disease, even if this requires them to become part of the consumer driven/drug company push for a 'symptom free' menopause. They wish to remain untroubled and express a willingness to do whatever they need to fulfil this. Their fervent hope is that the menopause will not upset their career, family or 'life'. Consequently a large majority of these women will think about or actively pursue hormone replacement therapy.

There is an increasing awareness in the food industry about the role that proper nutrition plays in maintaining health and preventing disease. Women especially have always been interested in nutrition and its impact on their well-being. This awareness has placed more pressure on the food industry to provide a greater variety of nutritious and wholesome products which has led to the development of a new field in the food industry, called functional foods. These are food products that apart from the micro- and macronutrients that it already provides have additional important physiologically active functions that enhance health. These active components, called phytochemicals (from plant sources) and zoochemicals (from animal sources) have changed the role of diet in health. Functional foods can, by nature or design, bridge the traditional gap between food and medicine and thereby provide consumers with the opportunity to become involved in their own health care. One of these functional foods that have been receiving increased attention and research is soy. Apart from other health benefits of soy, such as cholesterol reduction and bone strengthening, scientific evidence has shown that soy can be used as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The increased interest in the latter can be ascribed to the changed attitude of women, as well as evidence of the side effects of conventional hormone replacement therapies. Consumer research in the nutraceutical area is, however, still in its infancy stage. Objective: The main objective of this study was thus to assess South African consumers' opinion of the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To attain this main objective, the following specific objectives were stated: To determine, by means of a consumer questionnaire, the percentage of South African consumers who are aware of soy. To determine, by means of an attitude scale, the attitudinal disposition of South African consumers towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To determine South African consumers' opinions regarding the menopausal related health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who Eat/drink soy and their opinion of the potential health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents' opinion of the health benefits of soy and their opinions of soy as an alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Methods: In this study, consumers' opinion regarding the health benefits of soy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Respondents were randomly selected from nine metropolitan, as well as rural areas in South Africa, representing the four main race groups, namely whites, blacks, coloureds and Indians. The total sample size of the metropolitan and rural subjects was 3001. A sub-dataset was created which included female respondents that have heard of soy before and were premenopausal (35-44 years) and post-menopausal (50-59 years) of age. Thus, the total number of respondents used for further statistical analyses was 825. The respondents expressed their opinions of the health benefits of soy on a five-point hedonic (Likert) scale which was adapted to a three-point scale for easier interpretation of the tables. Results: 1. Of the 3 001 respondents, 2 437 (80%) were aware of soy. 2. A mean attitudinal disposition score of 2.47 on a three-point scale indicated a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition of the South African consumer population towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as alternative for HRT. No practically significant differences were found between the mean values of each statement, which indicated that no specifically strong opinions were expressed between different races or between different age groups. 3. Of all the consumers surveyed and those who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits compared to only 7% who disagreed. Although 34% of South Africans expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as alternative for HRT, the majority (46%) of the population had a neutral opinion. Forty-two percent of the consumers who held an opinion regarding soy as reliever of menopausal symptoms were positive, 35% had a neutral opinion and 23% of South Africans did not agree that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. 4. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of the respondents who indicated that they eat/drink soy, the majority agreed that soy has many health benefits. The respondents who disagreed when asked if they eat/drink soy, still expressed an overall positive opinion when asked whether soy has many health benefits. 5. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. Of those who indicated that they use soy, the majority agreed that soy has a bone strengthening benefit. On the contrary, only 43% of those who agreed that they never use soy were positive about the bone strengthening benefit of soy, whereas 37% held a neutral opinion and 20% expressed a negative opinion. 6. The relation between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms was of practical significance. Of the respondents who did not agree that soy has many health benefits, the majority expressed a negative opinion of soy as an alternative for HRT. Of those who agreed that soy has many health benefits, 45% expressed a neutral opinion and 44% a positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT. Almost half (47%) of the respondents who agreed that soy does have many health benefits, expressed a neutral opinion when asked if soy can relieve menopausal symptoms, whereas only 30% had a positive opinion in this regard. The majority (86%) of the respondents who disagreed that soy has many health benefits, also expressed a negative opinion of soy as reliever for menopausal symptoms Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that 80% of the South African consumer population are aware of soy and that South African consumers have a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition towards the potential health benefits of soy. Respondents did not express a particularly strong opinion regarding several health benefits of soy. It may be hypothesized that they are not informed well enough on the health benefits of soy as to take a stand and to form a definite opinion. Neither different race groups, nor pre- or post-menopausal women differ significantly in the frequency of their opinions, indicating that in this study, race and age did not have a practical significant influence on opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of all those surveyed and who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits, which is almost the same percentage (74%) as American consumers who perceive soy products as healthy as according to the United Soybean Board (USB) National Report (2003-2004:4). A survey by Adams (2001:433) reported that 71% of American consumers believed that plant-derived HRT have fewer risks and can thus be used as a safe alterative for conventional HRT. According to the results of the present study only 34% of South African consumers expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT. Insufficient evidence on the safety and efficacy of the potential health benefits of soy, as well as a lack of consumer education in South Africa, could be the reason for this uncertainty among XIV South African consumers. While only 26% of American consumers are aware that soy might relieve menopausal symptoms (USB National Report, 2003- 2004:4), results of the current study found that 42% of South Africans were of opinion that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. This can be an indication that whether or not the South African consumer population consume soy doesn't have an influence on their opinion of soy's health benefits in practice. The relation found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy were not of practical significance. This can be an indication that whether or not South Africans use soy does not influence their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy in practice. Furthermore, a practically significant relation was found between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Interestingly, respondents who expressed a positive opinion regarding the health benefits of soy did not have a convincingly positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and as reliever of menopausal symptoms. They expressed a more neutral opinion. As expected, consumers that were not of opinion that soy has certain health benefits, also disagreed when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT or as reliever of menopausal symptoms. Although the causes for the respondents' opinion or uncertainty were not determined in this study, it can be hypothesised that it may be due to lack of standardisation of evidence on the safety and efficacy of alternative hormone replacement therapies. Further studies are still needed to determine the contributing factors which influence consumers' opinion or lack of opinion on soy. If consumers are not educated about the benefits and disadvantages of soy as alternative for HRT, they cannot make intelligent decisions and choices as to whether or not to use soy as alternative for HRT. / Thesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

No description available.

There is an increasing awareness in the food industry about the role that proper nutrition plays in maintaining health and preventing disease. Women especially have always been interested in nutrition and its impact on their well-being. This awareness has placed more pressure on the food industry to provide a greater variety of nutritious and wholesome products which has led to the development of a new field in the food industry, called functional foods. These are food products that apart from the micro- and macronutrients that it already provides have additional important physiologically active functions that enhance health. These active components, called phytochemicals (from plant sources) and zoochemicals (from animal sources) have changed the role of diet in health. Functional foods can, by nature or design, bridge the traditional gap between food and medicine and thereby provide consumers with the opportunity to become involved in their own health care. One of these functional foods that have been receiving increased attention and research is soy. Apart from other health benefits of soy, such as cholesterol reduction and bone strengthening, scientific evidence has shown that soy can be used as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The increased interest in the latter can be ascribed to the changed attitude of women, as well as evidence of the side effects of conventional hormone replacement therapies. Consumer research in the nutraceutical area is, however, still in its infancy stage. Objective: The main objective of this study was thus to assess South African consumers' opinion of the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To attain this main objective, the following specific objectives were stated: To determine, by means of a consumer questionnaire, the percentage of South African consumers who are aware of soy. To determine, by means of an attitude scale, the attitudinal disposition of South African consumers towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as an alternative for HRT. To determine South African consumers' opinions regarding the menopausal related health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who Eat/drink soy and their opinion of the potential health benefits of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. To determine whether there is a relation between respondents' opinion of the health benefits of soy and their opinions of soy as an alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Methods: In this study, consumers' opinion regarding the health benefits of soy was evaluated using a questionnaire. Respondents were randomly selected from nine metropolitan, as well as rural areas in South Africa, representing the four main race groups, namely whites, blacks, coloureds and Indians. The total sample size of the metropolitan and rural subjects was 3001. A sub-dataset was created which included female respondents that have heard of soy before and were premenopausal (35-44 years) and post-menopausal (50-59 years) of age. Thus, the total number of respondents used for further statistical analyses was 825. The respondents expressed their opinions of the health benefits of soy on a five-point hedonic (Likert) scale which was adapted to a three-point scale for easier interpretation of the tables. Results: 1. Of the 3 001 respondents, 2 437 (80%) were aware of soy. 2. A mean attitudinal disposition score of 2.47 on a three-point scale indicated a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition of the South African consumer population towards the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as alternative for HRT. No practically significant differences were found between the mean values of each statement, which indicated that no specifically strong opinions were expressed between different races or between different age groups. 3. Of all the consumers surveyed and those who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits compared to only 7% who disagreed. Although 34% of South Africans expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as alternative for HRT, the majority (46%) of the population had a neutral opinion. Forty-two percent of the consumers who held an opinion regarding soy as reliever of menopausal symptoms were positive, 35% had a neutral opinion and 23% of South Africans did not agree that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. 4. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of the respondents who indicated that they eat/drink soy, the majority agreed that soy has many health benefits. The respondents who disagreed when asked if they eat/drink soy, still expressed an overall positive opinion when asked whether soy has many health benefits. 5. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy. Of those who indicated that they use soy, the majority agreed that soy has a bone strengthening benefit. On the contrary, only 43% of those who agreed that they never use soy were positive about the bone strengthening benefit of soy, whereas 37% held a neutral opinion and 20% expressed a negative opinion. 6. The relation between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms was of practical significance. Of the respondents who did not agree that soy has many health benefits, the majority expressed a negative opinion of soy as an alternative for HRT. Of those who agreed that soy has many health benefits, 45% expressed a neutral opinion and 44% a positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT. Almost half (47%) of the respondents who agreed that soy does have many health benefits, expressed a neutral opinion when asked if soy can relieve menopausal symptoms, whereas only 30% had a positive opinion in this regard. The majority (86%) of the respondents who disagreed that soy has many health benefits, also expressed a negative opinion of soy as reliever for menopausal symptoms Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that 80% of the South African consumer population are aware of soy and that South African consumers have a neutral to positive attitudinal disposition towards the potential health benefits of soy. Respondents did not express a particularly strong opinion regarding several health benefits of soy. It may be hypothesized that they are not informed well enough on the health benefits of soy as to take a stand and to form a definite opinion. Neither different race groups, nor pre- or post-menopausal women differ significantly in the frequency of their opinions, indicating that in this study, race and age did not have a practical significant influence on opinion of the health benefits of soy. Of all those surveyed and who did express a specific opinion, 72% agreed that soy has many health benefits, which is almost the same percentage (74%) as American consumers who perceive soy products as healthy as according to the United Soybean Board (USB) National Report (2003-2004:4). A survey by Adams (2001:433) reported that 71% of American consumers believed that plant-derived HRT have fewer risks and can thus be used as a safe alterative for conventional HRT. According to the results of the present study only 34% of South African consumers expressed a positive opinion when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT. Insufficient evidence on the safety and efficacy of the potential health benefits of soy, as well as a lack of consumer education in South Africa, could be the reason for this uncertainty among XIV South African consumers. While only 26% of American consumers are aware that soy might relieve menopausal symptoms (USB National Report, 2003- 2004:4), results of the current study found that 42% of South Africans were of opinion that soy can relieve menopausal symptoms. A relation, although not of practical significance, was found between respondents who eat/drink soy and their opinion of the health benefits of soy. This can be an indication that whether or not the South African consumer population consume soy doesn't have an influence on their opinion of soy's health benefits in practice. The relation found between respondents who never use soy and their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy were not of practical significance. This can be an indication that whether or not South Africans use soy does not influence their opinion of the bone strengthening benefit of soy in practice. Furthermore, a practically significant relation was found between respondents' opinion of the overall health benefits of soy and their opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and reliever of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Interestingly, respondents who expressed a positive opinion regarding the health benefits of soy did not have a convincingly positive opinion of soy as alternative for HRT and as reliever of menopausal symptoms. They expressed a more neutral opinion. As expected, consumers that were not of opinion that soy has certain health benefits, also disagreed when asked if soy can be used as an alternative for HRT or as reliever of menopausal symptoms. Although the causes for the respondents' opinion or uncertainty were not determined in this study, it can be hypothesised that it may be due to lack of standardisation of evidence on the safety and efficacy of alternative hormone replacement therapies. Further studies are still needed to determine the contributing factors which influence consumers' opinion or lack of opinion on soy. If consumers are not educated about the benefits and disadvantages of soy as alternative for HRT, they cannot make intelligent decisions and choices as to whether or not to use soy as alternative for HRT. / Thesis (M. Consumer Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.