Beliefs and knowledge of osteoporosis amongst female graduate students in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, belief and preventive measures taken regarding osteoporosis by students of different non-medical educational backgrounds. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2018, at one private-sector and two public-sector universities in Karachi, and comprised female participants aged >15 years from engineering, commerce, social and pure sciences background. Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool questionnaire was self-administered to collect data which was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: There were 400 females with a mean age of 20.55±1.66 years. The overall mean score was 46.49±12.83 and 43(10.8) subjects had a good score, 204(51%) had an average score and 150(37%) had a poor score regarding knowledge about osteoporosis. Also, 186(47%) subjects identified previous studies as their source about osteoporosis, 103(26%) gained knowledge by health professionals and 62(16%) did it through electronic media. The knowledge on risk factors, protective factors and perceived susceptibility were significant (p<0.05) when compared by type of study and age. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the disease was found to be insufficient, indicating need for generating awareness regarding osteoporosis.