Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge about osteoporosis among adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by disseminating the OKAT questionnaire via online platforms. A total of 396 adults residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, participated. The OKAT included 20 questions answered with yes, no, or I don’t know. Correct answers were scored 1, while incorrect or “I don’t know” responses were scored 0. The percentage of correct answers for each question was calculated, followed by the average of these percentages across all questions. Knowledge scores for each participant were calculated and categorized into poor (0-9), moderate (10-15), or good (16-20). The association between knowledge level and sociodemographic characteristics was evaluated.
Results: Females represented 77.8% of participants. The most common age group was 18-25 years (64.1%), and most of them were students (62.1%). The average percentage of correct answers was 44.6 %. About 50.3% of participants had poor knowledge, 47.7% moderate knowledge, and only 2% had good knowledge. A significant but weak association was identified between knowledge level and the positive family history of osteoporosis (χ² = 7.47, df = 2, p = 0.024; C = 0.19).
Conclusion: A clear knowledge gap about osteoporosis existed among adults in Jeddah. Most participants showed a moderate to low level of knowledge about osteoporosis, especially regarding the disease’s silent nature, risk factors, preventive measures, and the availability of effective therapies.

Key words: Osteoporosis, knowledge, risk factors, prevention, OKAT, Saudi Arabia