A COMMUNITY BASED STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN WOMEN

Mukul Gupta*, Ajay Kumar, Pratap Shankar, Dheeraj Singh, Preet Lakhani, Sachin Tutu, Amod Kumar, R. K. Dixit

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. It is the most common metabolic bone disease and can result in devastating physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences. It is often overlooked and undertreated, however, in large part because it is so often clinically silent before manifesting in the form of fracture. METHODOLOGY: It is a cross sectional study involving 500 subjects. The knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) were assessed along with the risk factors which includes modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors based on OPQ questionnaire .Counselling was provided to the subjects regarding the disease, its risk factors and lifestyle modifications which includes diet and exercise to be followed. RESULTS: The study involved 500 women above 25 years of age of which 85 (17%) women were having medical conditions which expose them to osteoporosis risk. Remaining 415 (83%) women were not having any medical conditions. Their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards osteoporosis was evaluated and it was found that above 81% women were at poor knowledge about the disease and its risk factors. CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis Questionnaire(OPQ) is useful tool in assessing the risk and the KAP of the subjects and predicting the subjects at high risk.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Risk.