Eslamian L, Jamshidi A, Kaghaz Kanani R,
Volume 65, Issue 14 (Vol 65, Supplement 2 2008)
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis threatens the aged population especially the menopausal
women and can lead to life long disability and death. Appropriate knowledge and behavior
have an important role in prevention of osteoporosis. In this study the knowledge, attitude
and behavior of women regarding osteoporosis is assessed and compared in different age
groups.
Methods: This cross sectional study includes 390 women in reproductive, premenopausal
and menopausal age groups who had come to Shariati hospital clinics and each had
answered the designed questionnaire. The questionnaires were scored and analyzed.
Women’s knowledge, attitude and behavior were assessed and compared by X2 test in the
three age groups and P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: 15–30% of women didn’t know what osteoporosis is and in 380 of them attitude or
behavior was not good. Education had a significant effect on knowledge of women in
reproductive and premenopausal ages (P=0.002, 0.04 respectively), but had no effect on
their attitude or behavior. Age had a significant effect on knowledge and attitude (P=0.001)
but had no effect on behavior. Age had significant effect on the knowledge that exercise
can prevent osteoporosis (P=0.014) but not on attitude or behavior. Age had no effect on
knowledge, attitude or behavior of daily calcium intake to prevent osteoporosis. (P=0.123,
0.12, 0.153 respectively) 93% to 95% of women thought the risks of osteoporosis are less
than cardiovascular disease or breast cancer.
Conclusions: 15–30% of women didn’t know what osteoporosis is. The total knowledge
about osteoporosis was low. Although 22-75% of women younger than 54 years old had
knowledge about the predisposing factors but their attitude or behavior was not good.
