Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS KNOWLEDGE TEST AMONG COMMUNITY POPULATION IN ABHA CITY, KSA

Alanazi Munif Saleh*, Abdullah Eid Alahmadi, Ahmed Ali Jaafari, Taef Hassan Al-Hussan, Mohammad Ali Alfaifi, Mohammed Abobakr Alammari, Malik Abdul Rahman Almalki, Abdullah Ismail Alsharif

Abstract

Background: There is a high prevalence of osteoporosis in KSA indicating a low preventive measures and a lack of knowledge about radiological investigations importance and hazards. Objectives: Assessing the general knowledge of osteoporosis risks, screening, treatment and physical activity as well as evaluating the awareness about radiological investigations timing and effects. Methods: A community survey study based on a reliable questionnaire that was distributed among general community in Abha city from March 2017 to June 2017. Results: Most of subjects were young, females and have college degree. Only 17% of subjects reported having osteoporosis. Most of participants (52%) have good overall general knowledge but only 42% had good knowledge regarding the calcium recommendations and 21% have good knowledge about importance of physical activity in prevention of osteoporosis. 60% of subjects have good knowledge about the risk factors of osteoporosis and 75% had good knowledge regarding the symptoms and radiological investigations. Conclusion: The overall knowledge in Abha City was good in 52% of subjects however, the levels of knowledge about calcium recommendations and physical activities were poor among most of respondents. On the other hand, 60% of subjects had good knowledge about osteoporosis risk factors and among 75% of subjects regarding symptoms and radiological investigations. Although, a moderate prevalence of good knowledge, educational programs must be adopted by health authorities to motivate healthy behaviours for prevention of osteoporosis in our community.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Awareness, Radiology, Abha.