Knowledge Level and Awareness about Osteoporosis among Risk Group of Rural Women

Abstract

Objective: Prolongation of the average life expectancy, increase in the elderly population, sedentary lifestyle, irregular eating habits; many diseases or drug usage increase predisposition to osteoporosis. The treatment costs of osteoporotic fractures in high risk groups have been increasing day by day. There are many studies which were conducted on awareness and perception of osteoporosis in the world and Turkey. However, there have been very little informing to increase awareness and perception especially in high risk groups in Turkey. In this study awareness and knowledge of rural women which have been in the risk group were evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 583 rural women within the risk group of primary or secondary osteoporosis were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 3 parts was used to evaluate the knowledge level and awareness about osteoporosis. Every correct answer was calculated as one point. Results: The mean age was 48.21 +/- 10.62 (range, 32-78) years. Five-hundred five (86.6%) of the women indicated that they have knowledge about osteoporosis. When knowledge levels of the women who had stated having knowledge about osteoporosis were analyzed; 240 (47.5%) were aware that they were in the risk group. Women who had higher education levels, had have higher awareness that they were in the risk group (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the total score of risk group with complication of osteoporosis awareness and age (r=-0.473, p<0.001). It has been detected that, there was a strong positive correlation between total score and education level (r=0.821, p<0.001). Conclusion: The education levels of women living in rural area are lower. The number of informative studies and community screening programmes for these women should be increased in order to reduce the morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure.