An assessment of patients' knowledge of osteoporosis in Qatar: A pilot study

Assessment of Awareness and Knowledge about Osteoporosis in Relation to Health Prevention among Patients Treated in Osteoporosis Clinics

The increasing incidence of osteoporosis indicates that the disease is a serious public health problem, with about 200 million people being affected worldwide. The aims of this research are to assess the awareness and knowledge about osteoporosis in relation to risk factors, health condition, supplementation used, socio-demographic factors and other variables among osteoporosis patients. The study was conducted in 2016-2018 in osteoporosis clinics in Poland. The study involved 312 patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis. In the diagnostic survey method, the authors' own questionnaire was used. The results indicate that the more frequent the symptoms associated with the disease, the lower the general self-assessment of the health condition of the respondents (rho = -0.682, p < 0.001). In addition, almost half of the respondents stated that their knowledge of osteoporosis is negligible. Moreover, the use of dietary supplements significantly differentiated respondents in terms of health self-assessed (p < 0.001), and it is noteworthy that users of dietary supplements assessed their health significantly better. We also saw a statistically significant relationship between the self-assessment of knowledge about osteoporosis and the use of dietary supplements (p < 0.001). Accordingly, significantly more respondents rating their knowledge as good or very good used dietary supplements. The conducted study demonstrates the need to educate patients and implement educational programs at central and provincial levels to improve patient knowledge concerning the disease. Supporting adaptation to chronic diseases and appropriate therapeutic management may contribute to improved osteoporosis treatment and enhanced patient quality of life.

Perception and awareness of osteoporosis and its related risk factors among women: A cross-sectional study

<b>Objectives:</b> This study was designed to assess the awareness of women of the risk factors and preventive measures of osteoporosis.<br /> <b>Methods:</b> This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Jordan. During the study period, a convenience sample of women were invited to participate via a survey link communicated through social media. Linear regression was used to screen independent variables affecting participants’ awareness of osteoporosis, its risk factors, and preventive measures.<br /> <b>Results:</b> 426 women agreed to participate in this study, with a median age of 38.5 years (IQR=16.0). Results showed that women have a median awareness score of 5.0 out of 9.0 (IQR=4.0) about osteoporosis risk factors, whereas women with higher educational levels (diploma or higher) and those with medical-related degrees have a higher awareness about osteoporosis risk factors compared to others (p≤0.05).<br /> Medical websites were the primary source used to obtain information about osteoporosis by the participating women (n=236, 55.4%). Also, results showed that more than 90% of the women believed that osteoporosis is a chronic silent disease that makes your bones less dense and more fragile (n=418, 98.1%), and that bone strength may increase by taking vitamin D and calcium (n=405, 95.0%).<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b> This study showed that women had an intermediate level of awareness of osteoporosis and prevention measures. The importance of medical websites and social media as sources of information was also demonstrated. More public targeted campaigns are needed to promote awareness of osteoporosis, its risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

Evaluation of knowledge about osteoporosis risk factors among adults above 40 years of age in Hafar Al-Batin Region, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a growing public health issue that is prevalent among the Saudi Arabian population. Several risk factors for the disease have been identified and could be modified using preventive strategies, including increasing awareness about the disease in susceptible individuals.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using interview-based questionnaires to evaluate knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors in a sample of 513 Saudi participants attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) in the Hafar Al-Batin region, Saudi Arabia. The analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.

FINDINGS

A total of 513 participants were surveyed (78.8% female and 21.2% male). The study population had an overall good knowledge about osteoporosis risk factors. The analysis detected significant associations between the level of knowledge and the following parameters: sex, marital status, employment status, and education level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the study cohort had good knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors. The male participants had significantly more knowledge compared to females. Married people had better knowledge scores compared to unmarried ones. Employed and educated participants had significantly better knowledge compared to unemployed and those with an education level less than college. The involvement of primary health care utilizers by physicians and health authorities is highly recommended to increase awareness of osteoporosis.

Perception of peri-menopausal and postmenopausal Lebanese women on osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis is a generalized skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration, resulting in increased susceptibility to fractures. The prevalence of osteoporosis in Lebanon, defined as T-score <-2.5 at the total hip using NHANES gender-specific database was estimated to be 31% among postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE

To assess the general perception of osteoporosis among women in Lebanon as well as their general knowledge of its lifestyle, risk factors, diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic measures.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon between January and December 2017. Women above the age of 50 were invited to participate. A standardized questionnaire regarding the perception of personal risk of osteoporosis and fractures was used. Risk factors for osteoporosis, previous fractures or falls, family history of fracture, smoking, alcohol consumption, and secondary causes of osteoporosis were evaluated. Data were recorded on excel and analyzed on SPSS using variety of descriptive analysis, ANOVA tests, and others. P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

From 396 interviewed women, 85% were in menopause and were more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. 45% knew the true definition of osteoporosis and their most frequent source of information was doctors. Around 60% had heard of BMD screening but only 54.5% of those women actually did it.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that osteoporosis knowledge and perception is low among the Lebanese woman aged 50 years and older.