KNOWLEDGE, BELIEVES AND BEHAVIORS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TOWARD OSTEOPOROSIS

Sabaa Saleh Al-Hemyari and Mohammed Shamssain*

ABSTRACT

Background: Osteoporosis is a rapidly growing chronic disease that progresses silently among women and the elderly increasing the burden on the global healthcare systems. Medical students are considered the channel through which people get aware of the disease and its related risks, hence its prevention. Objectives: To investigate the knowledge, believes, and behavior about osteoporosis among medical and non-medical students of Ajman University of Science and Technology, UAE. Materials & Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administered to a sample of 400 students at Ajman University, medical and non-medical students, 200 participants in each group. Data were analysed by SPSS version 20 was used for data entry and analysis. Chi square test and independent t-test were used. Results: Majority of the students were aware of osteoporosis general knowledge, signs and symptoms, risk factors and preventive behavior. There was a gap in the knowledge of some points between medical and non-medical students like the recommended amount of calcium intake for an adult per day. Conclusion: Medical students were better than non-medical students in terms of osteoporosis general knowledge and risk factors. The results will be used in developing educational programs that will help to raise awareness, knowledge and believe of university students in the UAE towards osteoporosis especially regarding the adequate calcium intake and healthy dietary intake of nutrients related to bone health.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, knowledge, Behaviors, medical students, non-medical students, calcium, vitamin D.