Abstract

LEVEL OF WRONG AWARENESS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS IN ALMADINA AL-MONWRA IN KSA

Hosam Salah Aljohani*, Khawla Alhazmi, Khaled Mahmoud Ghabban and Sara Yousef Alkeraim

Abstract

Background: globally, osteoporosis is a health problem leading to an increased risk of fractures and other serious complications. However, awareness and perceptions of susceptibility and belief in the seriousness of a disease and risk factors can help in its prevention and reduce the incidence of complications. Objective: To assess the level of Wrong awareness about osteoporosis in Al-Madina Al-monwra. Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Madina Al-Monwra. Data were collected by using a questionnaire that designed according to osteoporosis knowledge assessment tool (OKAT) with some modifications. The questionnaire involved two main aspects, the first one was about the demographics data and Second part was comprised of true or false questions about general knowledge, risk factors, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Result: A total of 835 responders were included in our study, wherein 94.1% of our responders were aged range from 20-60 years, 86.9% were female and 80% of responders were university educated or more. We found that 40.4% of responders have wrong awareness about general knowledge of osteoporosis and only 31.2% of responders have true awareness. However, 96% of responders know that osteoporosis increase risk of fracture but unfortunately 88.5% of responders they have wrong awareness or do not know that osteoporosis is asymptomatic before fracture. Also, we found that 35.3% of responders have true awareness about Risk factor of osteoporosis while in 64.7% of responders unfortunately do not know or have wrong awareness. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude among Saudi population were very poor and raise of wrong awareness about osteoporosis will lead to increase the risk of disability, poor quality of life, and premature death. However, Increase the level of education and reduce spreading of wrong awareness towards osteoporosis will leading to avoid late complications and to safe highly cost methods of treating such as this conditions.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Wrong awareness, Madina, level of awareness, knowledge.