Knowledge of osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly women

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge of osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly Saudi women, and to identify women in need of education on osteoporosis.

METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional analytical study of 368 women who attended the well-person clinic in a primary health care center (PHCC) in the Dirab area, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January and July 2006, using a validated questionnaire.

RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of women were postmenopausal, 62% had heard of osteoporosis, and younger women had more knowledge of this disease. The identification of risk factors by the participants ranged from poor to fair. Sixty percent of women identified low calcium intake, lack of exercise was identified as a risk factor in 39%, and 22% identified family history of osteoporosis. Only 48% of the participants could correctly identify calcium rich foods.

CONCLUSION: A considerable number of the Saudi middle-aged and elderly women are unaware of osteoporosis risk factors. Information resources should be easily available for those at high risk.