Osteoporosis awareness among perimenopausal women-A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a global public health problem currently affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and is associated with deterioration of bone microarchitecture. Osteoporosis causes the bones to be fragile and increases susceptibility to fracture even with trivial trauma. Objective: To assess the knowledge of pre-and post-menopausal women on osteoporosis. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at the Dept. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sheikh Sayera Khatun Medical College & Hospital, Gopalganj, Bangladesh from November 2021 to June 2022. One hundred (100) patients included in our study. Fifty premenopausal women and fifty post-menopausal women were selected using purposive sampling. Baseline data was collected and the knowledge was assessed using the knowledge questionnaire respectively developed by the researcher. Fifty pre-menopausal women between the age of 25-45 years and fifty post-menopausal women between the ages of 46-65 years were selected using purposive sampling technique.  Results: Majority of the pre-menopausal women 38 (76%) had average knowledge, 10 (20%) had poor knowledge and 2(4%) had good knowledge when compared to post-menopausal women 35 (70%) had average knowledge, 14(28%) had poor knowledge and 1(2%) had good knowledge regarding risk factors and prevention of osteoporosis. Both premenopausal 76% and postmenopausal 70% women demonstrated average knowledge of osteoporosis based on their awareness questionnaire score. Comparison of the knowledge level in pre and post-menopausal women showed the mean knowledge score of pre-menopausal women is 11.37±3.26 SD and mean knowledge score of post-menopausal women is 10.243±.24 SD The ‘p’ value was >0.05 Hence, there was no difference in the knowledge level between the pre and post-menopausal women. Conclusions: Although half of the pre- and postmenopausal women reported having some awareness of OP, their level of knowledge was average, particularly with regard to the concept, risk factors associated, treatment with the condition and its complications. Having information or creating awareness regarding the risks of OP, screening for OP and a better understanding of the diet during the post-menopausal period of those at risk are important, as both may play a major role in influencing an individual's OP-preventing behaviors.