Background: Osteoporosis is one of the major public health problems from which more and more people in the world are suffering. There is evidence suggesting that osteoporosis knowledge is one contributor to osteoporosis preventive behavior. Low literacy rates, lack of awareness regarding disease consequences and risk factors ultimately results in increased incidence of this combatable disease.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess osteoporosis knowledge, attitude, and practice among adult women (18 years and over) in Majmaah city.
Methods and Materials: The data was collected from 390 females in Majmaah city using convenient sampling technique. Participants were asked to fill in a structured, pre-coded questionnaire which consisted of three domains to assess their Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of osteoporosis.
Results: The findings showed that women had fair to good levels of Knowledge (50%), Attitude (55%) and Practice (60%) about osteoporosis. Media was the main source of information about osteoporosis that women identified (57.69%). Significant differences were observed between age and knowledge, attitude and practice of osteoporosis, (p=0.004), in which younger population had a higher level of knowledge and attitude but middle-aged population had a better preventive practice measures. Participants were sometimes exposing to the sunlight (37.4%) and eating vitamins and calcium rich food (50.8%) but rarely performing physical activities (35.4%).
Conclusion: Overall, females had good level of knowledge, attitude and preventive practices towards osteoporosis. Media was the main source of information about osteoporosis. Age group 18-25 years and house wives had higher KAP level. KAP was not significant with educational level and income. Females also showed a positive and advisable attitude towards osteoporosis reading materials to protect themselves in the future.
Key words: Knowledge, attitude, practice, Osteoporosis
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